| Leesburg to Host 80 of the Top Professional Anglers in the World Competing for Purse of More than $805,000 in Third Bass Pro Tour Event of Season, Filmed for Discovery Channel [print_link] LEESBURG, Fla. (May 13, 2021) – The third event of the 2021 season for the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour, bass fishing’s premier professional circuit, is set for Leesburg next week, May 21-26 with the Favorite Fishing Stage Three Presented by Bass Cat Boats at the Harris Chain of Lakes.The six-day event, hosted by Lake County, will feature 80 of the best professional anglers in the world, including superstars like Kevin VanDam, Jordan Lee, and Jacob Wheeler – as well as local favorites like Lakeland’s Bobby Lane, Gainesville’s Shaw Grigsby and DeBary’s John Cox – competing 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. “We are thrilled to welcome the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour to Lake County and the historic Harris Chain of Lakes,” said Lake County Commissioner and Tourist Development Council Chairman Doug Shields. “Lake County has some of the best bass fishing in the state of Florida as well as so many things to do off of the water. We look forward to showcasing our slice of central Florida to all MLF fans and invite them to visit us in ‘Real Florida. Real Close.’ really soon.” 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. Although the Harris Chain of Lakes has played host to numerous MLF BIG5 (previously FLW) tournaments and the 2016 MLF Challenge Cup, 2021 will mark the first time that the MLF Bass Pro Tour has visited Central Florida’s Lake County. Lakeland’s Bobby Lane, who won the 2016 Challenge Cup event and is currently leading the 2021 Bass Pro Tour Angler of the Year (AOY) race, thinks that the Harris Chain will offer great fishing that will allow anglers to fish their strengths. “I think the thing I’m most excited about for this event is being close to home, knowing that all of my family and friends will be there if I’m doing well,” Lane said. “I’ve been on the road quite a bit already this year, so it’s nice to know I’m only an hour from my house. “Harris has really come a long way from when we used to fish it 10 years ago,” Lane continued. “It used to be 13 to 16 pounds would win any tournament here, but now you need at least 25 to 26 pounds every day to have a shot. I predict the big females will be feeding up, and I expect the postspawn fish will be aggressive. I think guys are going to be catching them any way they want – flipping, fishing hydrilla, fishing brush piles, even shallow fishing up on the bank.” Lane said that the key to doing well in this tournament will be ignoring the smaller fish – which are plentiful on the Chain – and keying in on fishing for big ones only. “This place has a lot of fish, and a lot of smaller fish in it,” Lane said. “When I won the Challenge Cup, I had 16 to 18 fish one day that weighed something like 31 pounds. There wasn’t very many over 2 pounds. So, I think the guy that fishes his strengths, catches a few big ones in practice, and sticks with that the whole tournament will do well. I don’t think it’s going to be the guy running and gunning and fishing a bunch different stuff. I think to do well you’re going to have to have patience, and not get spun out. It’s going to be hot. The sun will be shining. It could be slick calm, and there are days when those fish don’t bite at all. Then, out of nowhere, there will be a 45-minute window where they’ll turn on and you’ll catch 4 or 5 good ones on a stretch that 10 guys have already fished. It’s kind of like brush pile fishing. You have to try to get on the right stretch, at the right time.” Although he predicts fishing fans will see a variety of baits and tactics in play at this event, Lane is already developing his game plan on how he will approach the tournament. “I’m going to have a Berkley Choppo tied on, the big one,” Lane said. “I’ll have a 10-inch Power Worm tied on, and I’ll be using the Berkley Diggers and Dredgers, cranking some of those brush piles. And I’ll definitely have a bladed jig with a Grass Pig Jr. on it. Trailers are pretty key, and that Grass Pig stays on that bladed jig so much better than a lot of the other baits.” The Harris Chain of Lakes (Big Harris, Lake Eustis, Lake Dora, Lake Carlton, Horseshow Lake, Little Lake Harris, Lake Denham and Lake Beauclair) and the canals within the chain will be used for the Qualifying and Knockout Rounds. Locking is not allowed to Lake Apopka and Lake Griffin. Lake Griffin and the canals within the lake will be used for Championship Round. Locking to Lake Eustis is not allowed Anglers will take off from the Venetian Gardens Ski Beach Boat Ramp, located at 201 E. Lake Harris Drive, in Leesburg, at 6:30 a.m. ET during the Qualifying and Knockout Rounds, and from Herlon Park, located at 700 N. Blvd. E., in Leesburg for the Championship Round. Each Qualifying and Knockout Round day’s General Tire Takeout will be held at the Gardens, beginning at 3:30 p.m., while the final-day Championship Round Takeout will be held at Herlon Park. Fans are welcome to attend, but encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com. The Favorite Fishing Stage Three Presented by Bass Cat Boats at the Harris Chain of Lakes will feature anglers competing with a 1-pound, 8-ounce 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 Favorite Fishing Stage Three Presented by Bass Cat Boats at the Harris Chain of Lakes are Spencer Shuffield, Kyle Cortiana, Kyle Hall and Tai Au. Those anglers qualified via their finishes in the second Pro Circuit event of the year – the Covercraft Stop 2 at Lewis Smith Lake. The 40 Anglers in Group A compete in their two-day qualifying round on the Harris Chain 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 on Lake Griffin. In the final day Championship Round on Lake Griffin, 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 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. 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. |
Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour Set to Visit Harris Chain of Lakes for Favorite Fishing Stage Three Presented by Bass Cat Boats
Robert Terkla Joins Prominent MLF Pros at the Wiley X High School Fishing Camp Presented by Tackle Warehouse
Cofounder of the Googan Squad and Star of LunkersTV Teams Up with MLF Pros – Limited Space Available, June 2 Registration Deadline
TULSA, Okla. (May 12, 2021) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today that Robert Terkla, cofounder of the Googan Squad and star of LunkersTV, will join an incredible lineup of MLF pros at the upcoming Wiley X High School Fishing Camp Presented by Tackle Warehouse . The star-studded group includes REDCREST Champion Dustin Connell and Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit champion Skeet Reese , along with nine other MLF pros, who will provide hands-on instruction aimed to help campers develop their fishing expertise and enhance fishing-career readiness.
The list of 2021 MLF pros serving as camp instructors includes:
| Adrian Avena | Justin Lucas |
| Matt Becker | Bill McDonald |
| Greg Bohannan | Keith Poche |
| Dustin Connell | Skeet Reese |
| Mark Daniels, Jr. | Fletcher Shryock |
| Bobby Lane |
This year’s camp will be held June 9-11, 2021, on the Murray State University campus, with daily activities at Kentucky Lake – the South’s Great Lake. The all-inclusive, three-day camp is designed for serious high school anglers, parents and coaches who want to gain an edge on the competition by getting hands-on bass fishing experience alongside the biggest names in the industry.
The MLF Foundation benefit tournament will follow the camp on Saturday, June 12 at Kentucky Lake. Tournament participants will have the opportunity to win thousands of dollars in cash prizes, with the winner taking home the MLF High School Fishing Cup, $1,000 and a new Jackson Kayak. One lucky participant will also be selected to fish with a Bass Pro Tour or Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit angler.
The benefit tournament, which raises funds for youth fishing programs and High School Fishing grants benefiting students nationwide, will launch out of Moors Resort and Marina, located at 570 Moors Road in Gilbertsville, Kentucky and weigh-in before the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine tournament at the same location. The tournament is open to all student anglers, including middle school and elementary school students accompanied by an adult. Participation in the Wiley X High School Fishing Camp is not required; however, participants must supply their own boat to compete in the tournament.
Cost for the camp is $300 per person, which includes all housing, meals and accommodations at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. Participation is open to high school students (incoming freshmen starting in the fall of 2021 through recent high school graduates from the spring 2021 semester) plus parents and coaches. Limited space is available. Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and will remain open until all available spots are filled or until the registration deadline of June 2, 2021.
Adults will have the option to drop off their students or stay throughout the camp to participate in special panel discussions geared to identify best practices that give high school anglers and fishing teams the edge they need to thrive in the industry.
Although most activities will take place outside, all camp activities will follow COVID-19 guidelines at the time of camp, including wearing a mask and social distancing, as required by local health officials.
Important Dates:
- Registration – April 20 – June 2
- Camp – June 9-11 (Wednesday, Thursday & Friday)
- MLF Foundation Tournament – June 12 (Saturday)
David Farmer & Matt Deese Win CATT Old North Jordan Lake, NC May 8, 2021
The 2021 Academy CATT Championship will take place on Kerr Lake May 22-23, 2021 and we are guaranteeing $10,000.00 to 1st Place!
Nutbush Ramp Kerr Lake State Park – 115 Jack Wade Farm Road, Henderson, NC
Either NC & VA License are valid. You do not need both.
**2018 & 2019 1st Place Winners Have Taken Home $25,000.00! 2020 Winners took home $24,000.00!
A team or solo angler must fish 2 CATT events to Qualify! You may fish the Championship solo or with your partner or alternate partner your team used in any CATT event.
You can get in your 2 events by fishing any CATT Fall 2020 and CATT Spring 2021! Any CATT event after June 1st 2020 will count!
Tap on the link for info!
Mark your calendar! June 26 Chowan River, NC Bayside Marina in Edenton! Phantom Outdoors Invitational $5,000.00 1st Place! You don’t have to qualify for this tournament! Just be there! Here’s the link to the Phantom Series info!
Next Old North Qualifier is Saturday May 15th at Shearon Harris!
Check out the winners & the cash they earned from this past weekend on Jordan Lake!
| Team | BF | Weights | Winnings | Points |
| David Farmer / Matt Deese | 6.64 | 25.88 | $2,580.00 | 110 |
| Todd Staker / Scott Woodson | 5.93 | 22.97 | $1,280.00 | 109 |
| John McLleland / Eric Schell | 6.06 | 20.82 | $665.00 | 108 |
| Billy Bledsoe / Brian McDonald | 0.00 | 20.49 | $335.00 | 107 |
| Tim Goad / Mark Williams | 7.71 | 19.99 | $459.00 | 106 |
| Todd Sumner / Mike Dinterman | 4.62 | 18.49 | $185.00 | 105 |
| Bo Adams / Brian Fritts | 6.17 | 18.36 | 104 | |
| Terry Amen / Casey Johnson | 7.37 | 16.68 | $96.00 | 103 |
| Dennis Reedy / Scott Smith | 4.88 | 16.41 | 102 | |
| Dane Butler / Derick Wright | 3.29 | 13.18 | 101 | |
| Jonathan Rhew / Roger Clery | 3.54 | 11.85 | 100 | |
| Jason Godwin / Ronnie Williams | 3.54 | 11.70 | 99 | |
| Scottie Braswell / Tim Grice | 3.68 | 9.57 | 98 | |
| Harley Oxendine | 2.97 | 7.69 | 97 | |
| Gary Johnson Chris Inscoe | 0.00 | 7.51 | 96 | |
| Ron & Zackery Johnson | 3.18 | 7.45 | 95 | |
| Brandon Taylor / David Eagle | 2.30 | 7.29 | 94 | |
| Jeff Shaw / James Richmond | 4.22 | 5.82 | 93 | |
| Dennis & Dalton Allen | 0.00 | 4.20 | 92 | |
| David Newell / Chris Marshall | 0.00 | 0.00 | 82 | |
| Mike Corbishley / Bryce McClenney | 0.00 | 0.00 | 82 | |
| Johnny & William Howard | 0.00 | 0.00 | 82 | |
| Jordan & Mark Young | 0.00 | 0.00 | 82 | |
| Rick Dunstan / Josh Huff | 0.00 | 0.00 | 82 | |
| Steven Michaels / Kenneth Ragland | 0.00 | 0.00 | 82 | |
| Walt Warner / Adam Petty | 0.00 | 0.00 | 82 | |
| James & Deloris Davis | 0.00 | 0.00 | 82 | |
| Joshua Genthe | 0.00 | 0.00 | 82 | |
| Tim & Allen Arnett | 0.00 | 0.00 | 82 | |
| Earl McMillan / Frank Grimsley | 0.00 | 0.00 | 82 | |
| Rich Z / Jamie Olive | 0.00 | 0.00 | 82 | |
| Greg Creech / Chris McDuffie | 0.00 | 0.00 | 82 | |
| Dale Delaney / Mike Salguero | 0.00 | 0.00 | 82 | |
| Josh Whitford / Tyler Ivey | 0.00 | 0.00 | 82 | |
| Total Entrys | $5,120.00 | |||
| BONUS $ | $1,200.00 | |||
| Total Paid At Ramp | $5,600.00 | |||
| Old North 2021 Spring Final Fund | $550.00 | |||
| 2021 CATT Championship Fund | $50.00 | |||
| 2021 Old North Spring Final Fund Total | $3,620.00 | |||
| 2021 CATT Championship Fund Total | $2,870.00 |
Neil & Tim Huffstetler Win CATT Lake Murray, SC Spring Final May 8, 2021
We had a great Spring at Lake Murray! We plan to hold a few Open before the Fall Trail begins so stay tuned!
2021 PHANTOM OUTDOORS INVITATIONAL CLASSIC
TOURNAMENT INFO
The 2021 PHANTOM OUTDOORS Invitational Classic will take place on Lake Hartwell Nov 5-6 and we are guaranteeing $10,000.00 to 1st Place!
Green Pond Landing & Event Center – 470 Green Pond Rd, Anderson, SC 29625
Either SC & GA License are valid. You do not need both.
Kerr Championship The Past 3 Years **2018 & 2019 1st Place Winners Have Taken Home $25,000.00! 2020 Winners took home $24,000.00!
A team or solo angler must fish 2 CATT events to Qualify! You may fish the Invitational solo or with your partner or alternate partner your team used in any CATT event.
You can get in your 2 events by fishing any CATT Fall 2020 and CATT Spring 2021! Any CATT event after June 1, 2020 will count!
How To Qualify
Must enter 2 CATT or Phantom Outdoors Invitational Events (Qualifiers & Finals) to be eligible! Enter 1 or more of these event as a team – Entering solo or with a Sub also counts toward your teams Championship & Classic Qualification! The 2 events do not have to be in the same CATT Trail! If you enter 2 – 2021 CBC Qualifiers you are eligible to enter!
Invitations are sent to select Trails and Clubs!
Entry Fees
$200 Per Team Entry – $210 At Ramp
Optional Platinum BONUS $100 – Paying Up to 3 Places
Optional Gold BONUS $50 – Paying Up to 3 Places
Optional Silver BONUS $25 – Paying Up to 2 Places
Neil & Tim Huffstetler win the Murray Spring Final with 5 bass weighing 22.59 lbs! They earned $3,650.00!
Ben Lee finished 2nd with 19.99 lbs!
Jeremiah Jensen & Gage Spagnola took 3rd with 18.18 lbs!
Murray Point Champs Josh Rennebaum & Carl Smith!
Academy Gift Card Winners!
| Team | BF | Weight | Winnings |
| Neil Huffstetler – Tim Huffstetler | 6.56 | 22.59 | $3,650.00 |
| Ben Lee | 5.90 | 19.99 | $1,075.00 |
| Jeremiah Jensen – Gage Spagnola | 5.25 | 18.18 | $500.00 |
| Doug Wooldridge – Eddie Cato | 5.04 | 17.13 | $200.00 |
| Darryl Starkey – Garrett Starkey | 3.87 | 16.43 | $150.00 |
| Kevin Fulmer – Tim Sox | 3.70 | 16.38 | |
| Joe Quinn – Justin Dunn | 5.82 | 16.04 | |
| Chad Hastings | 3.91 | 15.79 | |
| Michael Stribble – Dean Stribble | 3.33 | 15.78 | |
| Roger Farr – David Farr | 3.90 | 15.23 | |
| Sean Anderson – George Berry | 3.29 | 14.26 | |
| Les Westberry – Wyatt Westberry | 4.14 | 13.85 | |
| Will Anderson – Kyle Cannon | 3.40 | 12.36 | |
| Mark Richardson – Rhett Richardson | 3.40 | 12.28 | |
| Josh Rennembaum – Carl Smith | 2.62 | 11.95 | |
| Dave Murdock – Steve Pizzino | 4.22 | 11.76 | |
| Justin McGready – AJ Pipictro | 2.45 | 11.23 | |
| Weston Thomas – Dylan Sills | 2.72 | 10.64 | |
| Phillip Anderson – Andy Lake | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Jason Ries – Roger McKee | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Scott Farmer – CJ Freeman | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Emmett Maynor – Karson Grubbs | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Mark Krengel – Ron Wood | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Wayne Jeffcoat – Kevin Banks | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Wade Amick – Zack Huffstetler | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Chris Sullivan | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Total Entrys | $3,000.00 | ||
| BONUS $ | $475.00 | ||
| Murray Spring Final Fund | $2,050.00 | ||
| Total Paid At Ramp | $5,575.00 | ||
| Grand Total Paid Spring 2021 Lake Murray | $18,235.00 |
High School All-Americans Spend Dream Day With Elite Pros
he 2021 Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors was recognized at the recent Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Neely Henry Lake.
Photo by Emily Hand/B.A.S.S.
May 12, 2021
High School All-Americans Spend Dream Day With Elite Pros
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GADSDEN, Ala. — Twelve outstanding high school anglers lived a dream by competing in the Bassmaster High School All-American Bass Tournament, held during the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Neely Henry Lake.
The students are members of the exclusive Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors. Each angler was paired with a Bassmaster Elite Series pro for the exhibition held Sunday on Weiss Lake, part of the Coosa River system. The weigh-in was held on the Bassmaster Elite Series stage used by the pros at Coosa Landing in Downtown Gadsden.
The team of Elite Series pro Quentin Cappo, of Prairieville, La., and All-American Carter Doren, of Las Vegas, Nev., weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces to take the win. The pair used a wacky-rigged Senko to flip docks on a muddy Weiss Lake.
“Coming from out West, I’ve never fished water this color before,” explained Doren. This has been a big year for the junior who also took home the 2020 Big Bass Zone Junior Championship title. “Fishing here is just completely different.”
“I love going out with the All-Americans and seeing the enthusiasm they have for fishing,” said Cappo. “They all bring the same passion to an exhibition derby as an Elite Series pro does competing for $100,000. And every time I go out with a member of the All-American team we learn something from each other.”
Doren credits Cappo with spending the day teaching him more about positioning the boat and throwing a buzzbait.
Elite Series pro Darold Gleason of Many, La., and Mitchell Straffon, a junior from Fenton High School in Fenton, Mich., took second with 7-6.
“I learned so much from Darold,” said Straffon. “Before coming to Neely Henry, I had never fished a shad spawn.”
Qualification criteria for All-American Team underscores the prestige and popularity of the program. Over 300 applications nominating students in grades 10-12 were submitted from 34 states across the nation. Of these, 47 students were chosen as Bassmaster All-State anglers. After considering tournament résumés, conservation efforts, community service activities and recommendations from school officials and coaches, a panel of judges consisting of representatives from the sportfishing industry, media and conservation groups further narrowed the field to the Top 12 high school anglers in the country.
Doren won four tournaments in the 2020 tournament season, including the BBZ JC National Championship. Additionally, Doren was the 2020 Co-Angler of the Year for the Nevada Bass Anglers, an adult fishing club, where he placed in the Top 5 multiple times. Off the water, he is the social media director for his high school’s fishing club and is working to develop the local adult fishing club’s social media presence as well. And, although he is only a junior, Doren has already received a $38,000 scholarship to Bethel University for fishing.
Doren has also developed and run a fishing seminar for high school kids at his local pond, where he helped give away rods, reels and baits to youth and junior anglers who did not have the proper equipment. He has also volunteered with Bass Pros Shops’ Bluegill Tank teaching local children about catch-and-release techniques.
Students from the Boys & Girls Club of Gadsden enjoyed a shopping spree in Academy Sports + Outdoors before attending a fishing clinic taught by the All-American anglers earlier in the week. Following the clinic, the All-Americans attended an awards banquet, where they received commemorative tournament jerseys and a gift card from Academy Sports + Outdoors. All events were held at the store in Gadsden.
2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster High School All-American Bass Tournament
Final Standings
Carter Doren – Quentin Cappo 8-8
Mitchell Straffon – Darold Gleason 7-4
Tyson Verkaik – Cody Hollen 7-2
Zachary Ward – Clifford Pirch 5-8
Turner Hart – Skylar Hamilton 4-3
Cole Moulton – Rob Digh 3-2
Hunter Keller – Brett Preuett 2-11
Hayden Marbut – Tyler Rivet 1-15
Carter Dunn – Shane Lineberger 1-7
Laindree Richards – Justin Hamner 1-5
Alexis Grandstaff – Randy Pierson 1-6
Cole Rountree – Lee Livesay 0-0
California Delta Readies to Host Toyota Series Event
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OAKLEY, Calif. (May 10, 2021) – The Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. Western Division will kick off its 2021 season with a tournament this week in Oakley, California, May 13-15, with the Toyota Series Presented by A.R.E. at the California Delta . Hosted by the City of Oakley, the three-day tournament will feature the region’s best bass-fishing pros and Strike King co-anglers casting for a top prize of up to $65,000, plus an additional $35,000 bonus if the winner is a qualified Phoenix Boat owner.
With two top-10 finishes in Major League Fishing (MLF) competition on the Delta, Toyota Series angler Kyle Grover of Rancho Santa Margarita, California isn’t a local, but he stays in tune with the fishery.
“It’s like a giant golf course pond – it’s massive and everything looks good,” said Grover. “I’ve been fishing there for eight years now, and I’ve never caught ‘em in the same place twice. It’s always different, every single time – there’s always fish in the lakes, but it changes every year.”
With the tournament being in May, Grover said he expects most of the fish to be done spawning and in postspawn and summer patterns.
“It’s gonna be a mixture of everything for sure,” said Grover. “There hasn’t been a whole lot of rain this year, and we’ve got the full moon going on right now. So, you’re still going to have some spawners, but I think more postspawn. More than likely there was a major flood of fish spawning there last week, so it will be more postspawn, and probably a lot of fish in the main areas of the Delta and places near the main current. They spawn early in the backend sloughs and stuff – now they’ll be closer to more water movement.”
Given the tournament should lean toward a postspawn event, Grover said he thinks a lot of the staple patterns will come into play.
“The same old Delta stuff will be the deal,” said Grover. “Topwater will be a big deal – there will be multiple guys in the top 10 throwing frogs and punching. There’s typically always going to be one or two guys finesse fishing as well.”
Regardless of the patterns, Grover said he believes it will be a good event.
“It’ll take 18 to 20 pounds a day to make the cut, somewhere in that 38-pound range for two days,” said Grover. “I bet someone will crack a big bag one day at least and follow it up with some 20-pound days to win. This time of year, you’re definitely going to see some mid- to upper-20-pound bags. It’s going to be a really good tournament and some good fishing for sure.”
Grover said flipping and punching baits are a must on the fishery this time of year, as are crankbaits, vibrating jigs and topwaters like a River2Sea Whopper Plopper or a buzzbait.
“I always like to have a lot of margarita mutilator Roboworm Straight Tail Worms in my boat, fishing in the lakes around where they’ve been spawning,” said Grover. “Then, a Snag Proof frog to get better quality bites, and a Paycheck Baits punch skirt with a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver to flip.”
Anglers will take off daily at 6 a.m. PT from Big Break Marina in Oakley. Weigh-ins will also be held at the marina and will begin at 2 p.m. daily. Attendance is limited to competing anglers and essential staff only. Fans are encouraged to follow the event online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of $40,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of $65,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard (valued at $33,500) plus $5,000 cash.
The 2021 Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and Western – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International division. Anglers who fish all three qualifiers in any of the eight divisions and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. Championship for a shot at winning $235,000 cash, including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus for qualified anglers. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2021 Toyota Series Championship presented by A.R.E. will be held Oct. 28-30 on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee, and is hosted by the Hardin County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. on the MLF BIG5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Barry Holloman & Joey Bramlett Win CATT Phantom Outdoors Invitational Lake Wateree, SC May 8, 2021
Next Phantom Outdoors Invitational is Saturday May 15 at Lake Norman, NC! Lews/Strike King Trailer will be on site!
Tap on the Phantom Logo and start shopping for some great outdoor gear! Use PHANTOMCATT15 and earn 15% off your odrder!
Barry Holloman & Joey Bramlett win with 5 bass weighing 24.93 lbs! They also weighed in the 1st BF at 7.41 lbs! All total they collected $6,665.00!
RB Blackmon & Matt Nettles took 2nd with a limit weighing 21.30 lbs and brought in the 2nd BF at 6.27 lbs! They collected $3,010.00!
Russ Padgett & Britt Long claimed 3d with 18.90 lbs worth $1,450.00!
| Team | BF | Weight | Winnings |
| Barry Holloman – Joey Bramlett | 7.41 | 24.93 | $6,665.00 |
| Matt Nettles – RB Blackmon | 6.27 | 21.30 | $3,010.00 |
| Britt Long – Russ Padgett | 4.46 | 18.90 | $1,450.00 |
| Jeff Norris – Jacob Norris | 3.99 | 16.92 | $600.00 |
| Chad Gainey – Mack Kitchens | 4.50 | 16.90 | $300.00 |
| Donald Hinson – Bubba Baker | 3.40 | 16.74 | $200.00 |
| David Ethridge – Butch Williams | 3.78 | 16.73 | |
| Alan Fletcher – Tanner Fletcher | 3.92 | 16.67 | |
| Keith Porter – Toney Price | 3.57 | 15.68 | |
| Chris Moody – Jeff Robinson | 4.84 | 14.36 | |
| Michael Gordon – Bruce Andrews | 3.51 | 14.05 | |
| Bryan Holmes – Williams Holmes | 3.70 | 13.91 | |
| Will Allen – Greg Pugesek | 3.87 | 12.84 | |
| Mark Stoudemire – Eric Jordan | 0.00 | 12.55 | |
| Jeff Reynolds – Trent McLaughlin | 2.55 | 12.45 | |
| Mark Healon – Mike King | 4.23 | 12.19 | |
| Matt Baker – Andrew Baker | 0.00 | 11.41 | |
| RD Prince- Ron Newton | 3.56 | 11.41 | |
| Daryl Watson – Wayne Stover | 3.27 | 11.17 | |
| Gary Michaud – Trever Sharrett | 3.48 | 10.81 | |
| Jay Adams | 2.85 | 10.44 | |
| Freddie Gibbs – Johnny Player | 4.16 | 10.40 | |
| Alvin Shaw | 5.45 | 9.00 | |
| Winky Watford – Scotty Mixon | 4.21 | 8.95 | |
| Jeff Parsons – Mike Ard | 0.00 | 8.55 | |
| Rusty Bullard – | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Josh Finley – Mike Weit | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| David Weatherford – Brian Kickery | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Thomas Mobley – Dibb Wylie | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Michael Richardson – Shane Cantley | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Scott Williams – Robbie English | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Jason McCoy – Ronnie McCoy | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Steve Phillips | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Michael Criminger – Justin Ethridge | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Greg Nettles – Aaron Nettles | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Ken McFarland | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Timmy Squires – Cody Squires | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Tony Shirley – Robert Corley | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Tony Talford m- James Dunham | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Scott Floyd | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Jason Quinn – John Paul George | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Brandon Bryan – Bobboe Edwards | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Chad Rabon – Walt Almond | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Walter Knotts – Wayne Cook | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| John Proctore – Johnny Duarte | 0.00 | 0.00 |
April & Danny Moss Win CATT Lake Gaston, NC May 1, 2021
The 2021 Academy CATT Championship will take place on Kerr Lake May 22-23, 2021 and we are guaranteeing $10,000.00 to 1st Place!
Nutbush Ramp Kerr Lake State Park – 115 Jack Wade Farm Road, Henderson, NC
Either NC & VA License are valid. You do not need both.
**2018 & 2019 1st Place Winners Have Taken Home $25,000.00! 2020 Winners took home $24,000.00!
A team or solo angler must fish 2 CATT events to Qualify! You may fish the Championship solo or with your partner or alternate partner your team used in any CATT event.
You can get in your 2 events by fishing any CATT Fall 2020 and CATT Spring 2021! Any CATT event after June 1st 2020 will count!
Tap on the link for info!
Mark your calendar! June 26 Chowan River, NC Bayside Marina in Edenton! Phantom Outdoors Invitational $5,000.00 1st Place! You don’t have to qualify for this tournament! Just be there! Here’s the link to the Phantom Series info!
Next up on Lake Gaston is the Spring Final June 12-13th! A team only had to enter 1 Gaston Qualifier to be eligible to enter the Gaston Final!
Land Weaver & John Edwards Jr win the Gaston points and will fish the Final Free plus blast off #1!
April & Danny Moss win with 5 bass weighing 18.42 lbs and they take home $1,926.00!
Evan White & Shane Doughtie claimed 2nd with 15.10 lbs!
JT Palmore & Bobby Crisman finished 3rd with 15.08 lbs!
| Team | BF | Weight | Winnings | Points | |||
| Danny Moss | April Moss | 4.92 | 18.42 | $1,926.00 | 110 | 180 | |
| Shane Doughtie | Evan White | 0.00 | 15.10 | $965.00 | 109 | 180 | |
| JT Palmore | Bobby Chrisman | 4.52 | 15.08 | $455.00 | 108 | 50 | |
| Land Weaver | John Edwards Jr | 3.30 | 13.26 | $225.00 | 107 | 50 | |
| Lee Allred | Eric Massey | 4.00 | 13.16 | $170.00 | 106 | 130 | |
| Scott Golden | Jesse Medlin | 0.00 | 12.84 | 105 | 170 | ||
| Mitch Mikes | Bryan Trentham | 3.74 | 12.84 | 104 | 50 | ||
| Shawn Evans | Garrett Edwards | 4.58 | 11.85 | $84.00 | 103 | 180 | |
| Shawn Hammack | Flash Butts | 0.00 | 12.02 | 102 | 180 | ||
| Artie Jones | Anthony Jones | 3.86 | 11.94 | 101 | 180 | ||
| Adam Owen | Jordan Scott | 4.18 | 11.30 | 100 | 130 | ||
| Kevin Dickens | Larry Freeman | 0.00 | 11.00 | 99 | 120 | ||
| Justin Miles | 3.02 | 10.74 | 98 | 130 | |||
| Ricky Todd | Andy Liles | 0.00 | 10.66 | 97 | 170 | ||
| Kenny Reynolds | Ryan Reynolds | 0.00 | 10.59 | 96 | 130 | ||
| Chris Bowen | Cody Lucy | 2.78 | 10.30 | 95 | 170 | ||
| Greg Vick | Ed Mawyer | 0.00 | 9.28 | 94 | |||
| Hunter Kendrick | Johnny Kendrick | 0.00 | 9.06 | 93 | 180 | ||
| Daryl Peele | Max Stevens | 0.00 | 8.96 | 92 | 50 | ||
| Allen Mitchell | Dennis Bradley | 0.00 | 8.32 | 91 | 120 | ||
| Jefferson Price | Blake Eatmon | 0.00 | 6.70 | 90 | 205 | ||
| Reggie Norflett | Craig Johnson | 0.00 | 4.50 | 89 | 130 | ||
| Bobby Peedin | TJ Myrick | 0.00 | 3.02 | 88 | 50 | ||
| Jeff Bradley | Travis West | 0.00 | 0.00 | 78 | 180 | ||
| Tyler Dix | Carl Enos | 0.00 | 0.00 | 78 | |||
| Gary Horsley | David Dehart | 0.00 | 0.00 | 78 | |||
| Ryan Hobbs | 0.00 | 0.00 | 78 | 50 | |||
| Jerry Cullom | Lana Balltgzlier | 0.00 | 0.00 | 78 | 205 | ||
| Michael Garner | 0.00 | 0.00 | 78 | 120 | |||
| Total Entrys | $3,360.00 | 3490 | |||||
| BONUS $ | $950.00 | ||||||
| Total Paid At Ramp | $3,825.00 | ||||||
| Gaston 2021 Spring Final Fund | $355.00 | ||||||
| 2021 CATT Championship Fund | $50.00 | ||||||
| 2021 Gaston Spring Final Fund Total | $1,390.00 | ||||||
| 2021 CATT Championships Fund Total | $2,820.00 | ||||||
Joey Cooke & Justin Hal Win CATT James River May 1,2021
Next James River CATT is June 12th at RT 5!
2021 James River Point Winners Receive Free Entry Into All 2022 James River Qualifiers Excluding the Final!
2nd In the James River Points $500
3rd In the James River Points $250
4th In the James River Points $150
5th In the James River Points $100
CATT GOLD – $120 Entry $130 at Ramp
Final – $160 Entry $170 at Ramp
Optional Sidepot – $50
James River Membership – $35 Per Person
Blastoff Position is Determined By Order Of Payment
Must fish 3 of 7 Qualifiers to Fish Final
Fishing solo once & with sub once counts toward teams Qualification
You may fish solo and you can Qualify solo for the James River Final
Joey Cooke & Justin Hall took 1st Place at the May 1st James River CATT with 5 bass weighing 25.40 lbs! They earned $2,000.00!
Guys check out the $$ the money teams took home! We only had $600 is the side pot!
| Team | BF | Weight | Winnings | Points |
| Joey Cooke – Justin Hall* | 0.00 | 25.40 | $2,000.00 | 110 |
| Ray Hogge – Donnie Daniel* | 6.07 | 23.58 | $1,360.00 | 109 |
| Tim Byers – Craig Ferguson | 6.47 | 21.53 | $775.00 | 108 |
| Wesley Creasey – Charles Crowder* | 8.38 | 21.50 | $1,405.00 | 107 |
| Rick Rodrigeze – Chuck rackley | 6.57 | 20.87 | $525.00 | 106 |
| Billy Allen – Craig Cheek | 7.63 | 18.82 | $610.00 | 105 |
| Bo Bolts – Mickey Anderson | 0.00 | 18.32 | $350.00 | 104 |
| Nathan Kilgore – Chaze Carington* | 0.00 | 18.05 | $290.00 | 103 |
| Jay & RJ Davis* | 5.46 | 17.56 | $240.00 | 102 |
| Avery Powelson – Brian Brooks* | 5.00 | 17.49 | $210.00 | 101 |
| Brian Bersik – Justin Basin | 0.00 | 17.19 | $180.00 | 100 |
| Kelly Robinette – David Barlow* | 0.00 | 17.15 | $160.00 | 99 |
| howard and mark austin | 4.75 | 17.13 | $140.00 | 98 |
| Mike Rowe – Jim Rowe | 0.00 | 16.69 | $125.00 | 97 |
| Bryan Keane – Evan anderson * | 6.41 | 16.26 | 96 | |
| Marshall Johnson – Ryan Lachniet* | 4.62 | 15.95 | 95 | |
| Paul Martin – Francis Martin* | 5.73 | 15.79 | 94 | |
| Clay Lewis – David Bivins* | 0.00 | 15.69 | 93 | |
| Kevin Best – Andy Koon | 0.00 | 15.69 | 92 | |
| Chase Huffman – Harrison Baker | 0.00 | 15.69 | 91 | |
| Kelly Pratt – Richard Addy | 0.00 | 15.42 | 90 | |
| Tim Chaffin – Trey Goodman* | 0.00 | 15.40 | 89 | |
| Audie Murphy – Chris Dorman* | 5.15 | 15.36 | 88 | |
| Richard Bates – Scott Randall* | 4.71 | 15.27 | 87 | |
| Sammy Yates – Brian Yates * | 0.00 | 15.21 | 86 | |
| Adam Lathan – Robert Lathan | 0.00 | 15.21 | 85 | |
| Marcus Chandler – John Maanseany | 0.00 | 14.89 | 84 | |
| Chris McDaniel – Matt Kite* | 0.00 | 14.71 | 83 | |
| Casy Logan – Skeet Dalton | 0.00 | 14.61 | 82 | |
| Michael Brannon – Jacob Compton* | 0.00 | 14.59 | 81 | |
| Don Warren – Chuck Comer | 0.00 | 14.58 | 80 | |
| Rodney Allen – Neal Allen* | 0.00 | 14.53 | 79 | |
| Wayne Drewery – Ryan Drewery* | 0.00 | 14.52 | 78 | |
| Dave Carney – Andy Bollhorst* | 0.00 | 14.10 | 77 | |
| Don Doverspike – Jonathan Cobb* | 0.00 | 13.83 | 76 | |
| Greg Ball-Jamie Nealy | 0.00 | 13.81 | 75 | |
| Jason Bishop – Jeff Hamilton* | 0.00 | 13.70 | 74 | |
| Wayne Taylor – Chris Whittaker* | 0.00 | 13.66 | 73 | |
| Joseph Carr – Bob Timberlake * | 0.00 | 13.63 | 72 | |
| Charles Ramer – Ernest Revels* | 0.00 | 13.24 | 71 | |
| Brandon Smith – Lee Smith | 0.00 | 13.22 | 70 | |
| Jeff Valentine – Daryl Moody* | 0.00 | 13.08 | 69 | |
| Landon Tucker – Brady Tucker* | 0.00 | 13.01 | 68 | |
| John Barnes* | 0.00 | 12.89 | 67 | |
| Richard Mistr* | 4.60 | 12.86 | 66 | |
| Don Gregg – Kurt Hildebrand* | 0.00 | 12.72 | 65 | |
| Boddy Harris – Robby Harris* | 0.00 | 12.69 | 64 | |
| Jared Williams – Guy Fairweather* | 0.00 | 12.67 | 63 | |
| Stacy Vasser – Steve Webb* | 0.00 | 12.62 | 62 | |
| Donnie Meade – Travis Daniels* | 0.00 | 12.61 | 61 | |
| Keith Langford – Tim Richmond* | 0.00 | 12.49 | 60 | |
| Charles James – John Conway | 0.00 | 12.48 | 59 | |
| Curtis Combs – CJ Combs* | 6.31 | 12.40 | 58 | |
| Wayne Andrew – Tim Tait | 0.00 | 12.14 | 57 | |
| Clyde Baldwin – Jeff Davis* | 0.00 | 11.37 | 56 | |
| Mike Caul – Bill Petzild* | 0.00 | 10.29 | 55 | |
| Ben Knapp – Scott Schaffer | 0.00 | 10.17 | 54 | |
| Duane Hodge – Brad Colgin* | 0.00 | 9.97 | 53 | |
| Rusty Alley – Dan Robinson* | 0.00 | 8.72 | 52 | |
| Brian Snipes – Chris Cockrell* | 0.00 | 7.87 | 51 | |
| William Clements – Jimmy Cornett* | 0.00 | 6.93 | 50 | |
| William Gibson – Chris Coan | 0.00 | 6.82 | 49 | |
| Alexander Woodroff – Dillon Cross | 0.00 | 5.31 | 48 | |
| Allen Williams – Brad Redden* | 0.00 | 4.83 | 47 | |
| Aaron Novitski – Billy Boyd | 0.00 | 4.16 | 46 | |
| James Tilley – Andy Walker* | 0.00 | 3.46 | 45 | |
| Lenwood Shores* | 0.00 | 0.00 | 35 | |
| Cory Dunnavant – Kennon Ball* | 0.00 | 0.00 | 35 | |
| Rogers Walters – Renee Walters* | 0.00 | 0.00 | 35 | |
| Kevin Davis – Lawrence Davis* | 0.00 | 0.00 | 35 | |
| Jimmy Taylor – Tom Vaughan | 0.00 | 0.00 | 35 | |
| Total Entrys | $8,400.00 | |||
| BONUS $ | $600.00 | |||
| Total Paid At Ramp | $8,370.00 | |||
| James River 2021 Final Fund | $505.00 | |||
| 2021 CATT Championship Fund | $75.00 | |||
| 2021 James River Final Fund Total | $1,485.00 | |||
| 2021 CATT Championship Fund Total | $2,970.00 |
Wiley X Summit Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches at Lake Murray Set to Premiere Saturday on Outdoor Channel
| Thirty MLF Anglers Compete in Columbia, S.C., over Six Days for 2021 Summit Cup
COLUMBIA, S.C. (May 11, 2021) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) 2021 Wiley X Summit Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches is set to premiere with a two-hour episode this Saturday, May 15, at 2 p.m. ET on the Outdoor Channel. The event, shot over six days in early February at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, showcases 30 of the top pro anglers in the world competing in the final event of the 2021 MLF Cup season. Lake Murray has played host to numerous major bass-fishing championship events, including the 2008, 2014 and 2017 FLW Cup Championships, and a 2018 MLF Challenge Select event – won by pro Keith Poche (competing in this event). The Wiley X Summit Cup presented by B&W Trailer Hitches will mark just the second time that MLF has visited the “Jewel of South Carolina.” The first episode premiering Saturday will feature the anglers in Group 1 competing in their opening Elimination Round. Episode two will feature the anglers in Group 2; Episode three the anglers in Group 3. The top six finishers from each group’s Elimination Round advance to the two-day Sudden Death Round – episodes four and five – where nine anglers compete each day and try to finish in the top four. The sixth and final episode will feature the final eight anglers competing in the Championship Round to catch the most weight that they can to be crowned the 2021 Summit Cup Champion. The anglers in Group 1 that compete this Saturday (May 15) on Day One of the 2021 Wiley X Summit Cup are:
The anglers in Group 2 that compete next Saturday (May 22) on Day Two of the 2021 Wiley X Summit Cup are:
The anglers in Group 3 that compete in the final Elimination Round (May 29) on Day Three of the 2021 Wiley X Summit Cup are:
The 2021 Wiley X Summit Cup Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches was hosted by Capital City/Lake Murray Country. The event will air on the Outdoor Channel as six, two-hour original episodes each Saturday afternoon starting May 15, 2021, and running through June 19, airing from 2 to 4 p.m. ET. Each episode will be available for viewing on the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) streaming app on the Monday morning following each episode’s Saturday premiere. The full television schedule can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com. For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. |