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Meet the New Kings of Bass: How Easton Fothergill and Dustin Connell Redefined Tournament Fishing in 2025

June 13, 2025

Meet the New Kings of Bass: How Easton Fothergill and Dustin Connell Redefined Tournament Fishing in 2025

Outdoors Spotlight

In a sport built on rhythm, patience, and instinct, two names have risen above the noise in 2025: Easton Fothergill and Dustin Connell. One stunned the fishing world with a Cinderella story at the Bassmaster Classic. The other solidified his dynasty with a dominating REDCREST victory. Different paths. Same result: Greatness on the water.

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The Rookie Who Wouldn’t Quit: Easton Fothergill’s Classic Comeback

When Easton Fothergill walked across the stage at the 2025 Bassmaster Classic, trophy in hand and emotion in his voice, fans knew they’d witnessed something rare. Just a year ago, Fothergill was the underdog with potential—now, he’s the face of fishing’s future.

Fothergill’s journey wasn’t paved with easy wins. After undergoing brain surgery in 2023, many doubted whether he’d return to top-level competition. But Fothergill didn’t just return—he roared back, quietly stringing together solid finishes before unleashing a masterclass on Grand Lake.

His secret? Staying off the beaten path.

“I didn’t chase the same spots as everyone else,” Fothergill said post-win. “I trusted my instincts and targeted shallow wood with a finesse jig—places I knew big ones lived but others overlooked.”

That local knowledge, combined with patient decision-making, allowed Fothergill to post a final-day bag that left seasoned veterans in disbelief. He didn’t overpower the lake—he outthought it.

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Dustin Connell: The Tactical Terminator

If Fothergill is the sport’s next big thing, Dustin Connell is its current commander.

Already a household name thanks to his 2021 REDCREST win, Connell doubled down in 2025, claiming his third REDCREST title in what many are calling the most dominant performance of his career. The Alabama pro didn’t just win—he dismantled the field with surgical precision.

Connell’s winning strategy centered on forward-facing sonar mastery, a tool that’s stirred debate but delivered results. By pairing live sonar with a Damiki rig and glide bait combo, Connell pinpointed suspended bass in open water, then executed with machine-like efficiency.

“It’s not about seeing fish—it’s about knowing which fish to throw at,” Connell explained. “I passed up hundreds to target five that were ready to eat.”

His discipline and real-time adjustments made the difference, especially as conditions shifted late in the tournament. It wasn’t just about tech. It was about decision-making under pressure.

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Why Their Stories Matter

In a season defined by tight races and rising talent, Fothergill and Connell represent two ends of the same spectrum. One relies on raw instinct and grassroots grit. The other on elite-level analytics and real-time adaptation.

Together, they’ve redefined what it takes to win at the highest level of bass fishing in 2025—and inspired a new generation of anglers along the way.

Because whether you’re flipping shallow cover or chasing ghosts in 40 feet of water, the lesson is the same:

Believe in your process. Stick to your strengths. And when the moment comes—set the hook.

Scooter Lilley & Eric Galasso win the 2025 CATT Kerr Lake Spring Final with 5 bass weighing 17.33 lbs

Brian Carter

June 13, 2025

Scooter Lilley & Eric Galasso win the 2025 CATT Kerr Lake Spring Final with 5 bass weighing 17.33 lbs

Thanks for fishing us, guys! We paid back a lot of $$$ this past weekend! We will have the Kerr Lake Fall schedule posted in a few days!

Same format as the CATT Championship!

We will host a Phantom Outdoors Open on Kerr out of Occoneechee Nov 29th!

NO OFF LIMITS for Practice!
Normal CATT Rules Apply!
Pre-Pay online or at Ramp Morning of!

Entry Fee: $210 per team Online or $220 at ramp
Enter 1 or more side pots or none! Optional!
Platinum BONUS $100 (Paying 3 Places)
Gold BONUS $50 (Paying up to 3 Places)
Silver BONUS $25 (Paying up to 2 Places)
Blastoff # Determined by Order of Payment!
Paying 1 Big Fish Place and 1 Place for Every 7 Teams Entered!

We paid back 3 places in the Points!

1st – Marty & JT Stone $1,000.00!

2nd – Randy Waterman & Eddie Fore $600.00

3rd – Shane Doughtie & Evan White $300.00

Scooter Lilley & Eric Galasso win the 2025 Kerr Lake Spring Final with 5 bass weighing 17.33 lbs and pocket $3,600.00!

Team	BF	Weight	Winnings
Scooter Lilley – Eric Galasso	4.81	17.33	$3,600.00
Aaron Falwell – Steven Coleman	4.98	17.01	$2,020.00
Phillip Smith – Lonnie Whitfield	4.67	16.68	$1,280.00
Troy Searcy – Bryan Welch	5.22	16.30	$500.00
Jay Rigney – Josh Barnes	5.57	15.28	$890.00
Auston Woody – Zach Smith	0.00	14.92	$350.00
Shane Doughtie – Evan White	0.00	14.67	$550.00
Michael Garner – Billy Shelton	4.38	14.33	$200.00
Tom Wilkinson – Brandon Curtis	0.00	14.28
Tommy Morrow – Dennis Reedy	3.18	14.10
Lynn Fox	0.00	13.71
Ellis Jones – Peter Carter	0.00	13.63
Jeff Ross – Clay Ross	0.00	13.17
Tyler Hughes	0.00	12.66
Darrell Wyatt	0.00	12.40
Eric Christian – Ken Minor	0.00	12.24
Kevin Chandler – Jeremy Tolbert	0.00	12.16
Kevin Cheatham – Johnny Wilder	3.18	11.55
Ryan Harrell	0.00	11.50
Bobby Crisman – Reed Crisman	0.00	11.49
Dennie Gilbert – Charlie reed	0.00	11.12
Jason Houchins – Danny Houchins	0.00	11.07
Timmy Ferrell – Seth Ellis	0.00	10.85
David Bullock – Jimmy Henderson	0.00	10.56
Glenn Boyd – Craig Cantrell	0.00	10.54
Jay Fogleman – Doug Stallings	0.00	10.11
Marty Stone – JT Stone	0.00	9.63	$1,000.00
Joseph Sharpe – Glenn Eskin	0.00	9.20
Andy Thomas – Ricky Grant	0.00	9.18
Kris Goin – Jason Tinsley	0.00	8.65
Michael Dikun – Jenny Li	0.00	6.62
Kenny Wilson – David Matthews	0.00	0.00
Donald Coleman	0.00	0.00
Matt Harrison	0.00	0.00
Bryan Cantrell	0.00	0.00
Mark Cooper – Steve Roberts	0.00	0.00
Clint Wilson	0.00	0.00
Buck Clark	0.00	0.00
Randy Goss – Ethan Goss	0.00	0.00
Tim Penhollow – Owen Penhollow	0.00	0.00
Michael Birr	0.00	0.00
Ben Dalton	0.00	0.00
Eddie Fore – Randy Waterman	0.00	0.00	$600.00

Loberg junk fishes his way to Day 1 lead at Lake Tenkiller

Brian Carter

June 12, 2025

Loberg junk fishes his way to Day 1 lead at Lake Tenkiller

Alabama’s Andrew Loberg has taken the lead on Day 1 of the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller with a total of 17 pounds, 9 ounces.

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

June 12, 2025

Loberg junk fishes his way to Day 1 lead at Lake Tenkiller

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — On a lake where the only constant seems to be change, Andrew Loberg took advantage of the conditions on Day 1 of the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller.

The California native caught a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds, 9 ounces to lead the field after one day of competition on the eastern Oklahoma reservoir. He holds an 8-ounce advantage over second-place Trey McKinney. Wisconsin’s Bob Downey is third with 16-2.

Lake Tenkiller has fluctuated greatly thanks to heavy rains that spread over the area ahead of official practice. From the final day of practice on Tuesday to the start of Day 1, the water fell several feet and anglers were forced to scramble to adjust.

The field of 101 anglers adjusted well, however, as each pro landed a limit, with 90 of those limits weighing over 10 pounds. Mixed bags of smallmouth and largemouth crossed the scales, but it was Loberg’s bag of largemouth that led the way.

“I think the conditions played really well for me,” he said. “I think the low pressure system helped the big largemouth eat a little bit better than other stuff going on.”

While this is his first tournament at Lake Tenkiller, Loberg has shown early in his Bassmaster career he’s comfortable in Oklahoma. During the 2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN season, Loberg notched a second-place finish down the road at Lake Eufaula.

Loberg isn’t dialed in necessarily. He has 30 rods on the front deck of his bass boat and is testing both offshore and shallow patterns. On Day 1, the shallows won out as he caught all largemouth.

“It was 50/50 between shallow and deep,” he said. “It is a timing thing, for sure. There are so many boats hitting the same stuff and I think I got lucky and pulled up on the right stretch at the right time. There were boats all over the place.”

The day didn’t start particularly quickly for Loberg as he felt out the lake in the morning. But as the morning progressed, he discovered a productive pattern that produced most of his final tally.

“I ran with it until I reached my limit,” Loberg said. “Honestly, all day I was really trying new stuff and seeing what was going on. With how much things are changing, I want to eliminate water and see what’s happening.”

With how much the lake is changing, Loberg said he isn’t set on doing one thing.

“I’m going to keep an open mind like I did today,” Loberg said. “This place is just changing so much. You have to have a couple things going on, because I don’t think one thing can take you four days.”

McKinney finished Day 1 with a mixed bag weighing 17-1, which included four largemouth and a smallmouth. The Carbondale, Ill., Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro started the morning shallow, but did the majority of his damage on two or three offshore areas. In about a 30 minute flurry, McKinney caught his initial limit which weighed about 15 pounds.

After testing more shallow cover, McKinney went back offshore and culled up to his final weight.

“I really didn’t even hit some of my good stuff today,” he said. “I still have some tricks up my sleeve. I left them about half way through the day. I didn’t want to be greedy. This place is tough and small, I didn’t want to catch fish I would need tomorrow. I played a little defense.”

Conditions changed around McKinney several times throughout the day. When the lake got choppy, he saw the bite improve. Thunderstorms moved through late morning, which shut down his bite for a while. Only one other angler shared water with McKinney on Day 1.

“Overall, I had a lot of stuff to myself,” he explained. “A lot of people probably fished it, but not at the same time as I did. A lot of stuff I’m fishing isn’t getting as pressured as I thought.”

On Day 2, McKinney plans on leaning on his areas a little bit harder than he did on the first day. As the tournament progresses, he believes the more consistent bite will be the offshore bite, but the shallows may produce the bigger bites.

Opelika, Ala., pro Kyle Welcher landed a 4-10 on Day 1, claiming Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day honors.

The full field of anglers will launch from Chicken Creek Boat Ramp beginning at 6:30 a.m. CT and will return for weigh-in at 2:30 p.m. The Top 50 anglers after Day 2 will advance to Semifinal Saturday in hopes of cracking the Top 10 and qualifying for Championship Sunday. Day 3 and 4 weigh-ins will be held at Cherokee Casino in Tahlequah.

Bassmaster LIVE coverage of the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller will be available on Bassmaster.com Days 1 and 2 starting at 8 a.m. ET and ending at 3 p.m. FS1 will carry the morning action on Day 3 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. before heading over to Bassmaster.com in the afternoon. Day 4 can be seen on FS1 from 8 a.m.-Noon with afternoon action to follow on FOX from Noon-3 p.m.

The Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller is being hosted by the Oklahoma Ozarks Tourism Association.

2025 Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller 6/12-6/15
Tenkiller Lake, Cookson OK.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

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

1. Andrew Loberg Guntersville, AL 5 17-09 104
Day 1: 5 17-09
2. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 5 17-01 103
Day 1: 5 17-01
3. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 5 16-02 102
Day 1: 5 16-02
4. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 5 16-01 101
Day 1: 5 16-01
5. Jordan Lee Cullman, AL 5 16-01 100
Day 1: 5 16-01
6. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 15-15 99
Day 1: 5 15-15
6. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 5 15-15 99
Day 1: 5 15-15
6. Cory Johnston Otonabee CANADA 5 15-15 99
Day 1: 5 15-15
6. Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 5 15-15 99 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-15
10. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 15-02 95
Day 1: 5 15-02
11. Wes Logan Springville, AL 5 14-12 94
Day 1: 5 14-12
12. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 5 14-11 93
Day 1: 5 14-11
13. Blake Capps Muskogee, OK 5 14-10 92
Day 1: 5 14-10
13. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 5 14-10 92
Day 1: 5 14-10
15. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 5 14-09 90
Day 1: 5 14-09
15. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 5 14-09 90
Day 1: 5 14-09
15. Jay Przekurat Plover, WI 5 14-09 90
Day 1: 5 14-09
18. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 14-07 87
Day 1: 5 14-07
18. Cody Huff Ava, MO 5 14-07 87
Day 1: 5 14-07
20. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 14-06 85
Day 1: 5 14-06
21. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 5 14-05 84
Day 1: 5 14-05
21. Cody Meyer Eagle, ID 5 14-05 84
Day 1: 5 14-05
21. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 5 14-05 84
Day 1: 5 14-05
24. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 5 14-04 81
Day 1: 5 14-04
25. Cole Sands Johnson City, TN 5 14-02 80
Day 1: 5 14-02
26. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 14-01 79
Day 1: 5 14-01
26. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 5 14-01 79
Day 1: 5 14-01
28. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 5 13-15 77
Day 1: 5 13-15
29. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 5 13-14 76
Day 1: 5 13-14
30. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 13-12 75
Day 1: 5 13-12
31. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 13-10 74
Day 1: 5 13-10
31. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 13-10 74
Day 1: 5 13-10
31. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, ON Ontario CANA 5 13-10 74
Day 1: 5 13-10
34. Timothy Dube Nashua , NH 5 13-09 71
Day 1: 5 13-09
34. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 13-09 71
Day 1: 5 13-09
36. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 5 13-01 69
Day 1: 5 13-01
37. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 12-14 68
Day 1: 5 12-14
37. Paul Marks Cumming, GA 5 12-14 68
Day 1: 5 12-14
37. Emil Wagner Marietta, GA 5 12-14 68
Day 1: 5 12-14
40. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 5 12-10 65
Day 1: 5 12-10
40. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 12-10 65
Day 1: 5 12-10
42. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 12-09 63
Day 1: 5 12-09
42. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 5 12-09 63
Day 1: 5 12-09
42. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 12-09 63
Day 1: 5 12-09
42. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 5 12-09 63
Day 1: 5 12-09
46. Chris Zaldain Boyd, TX 5 12-09 59
Day 1: 5 12-09
47. Dakota Ebare Brookeland, TX 5 12-08 58
Day 1: 5 12-08
47. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 12-08 58
Day 1: 5 12-08
47. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 12-08 58
Day 1: 5 12-08
50. Taku Ito Dalton GA JAPAN 5 12-07 55
Day 1: 5 12-07
50. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 12-07 55
Day 1: 5 12-07
52. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 5 12-07 53
Day 1: 5 12-07
53. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 12-05 52
Day 1: 5 12-05
54. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 5 12-04 51
Day 1: 5 12-04
55. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 5 12-02 50
Day 1: 5 12-02
55. Bryan New Leesville, SC 5 12-02 50
Day 1: 5 12-02
57. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 12-01 48
Day 1: 5 12-01
58. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 5 12-01 47
Day 1: 5 12-01
59. John Garrett Union City, TN 5 12-00 46
Day 1: 5 12-00
60. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 11-15 45
Day 1: 5 11-15
61. Beau Browning Hot Springs National Pa 5 11-13 44
Day 1: 5 11-13
62. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 5 11-11 43
Day 1: 5 11-11
63. Seth Feider Elko New Market, MN 5 11-09 42
Day 1: 5 11-09
63. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 5 11-09 42
Day 1: 5 11-09
65. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 5 11-08 40
Day 1: 5 11-08
65. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 5 11-08 40
Day 1: 5 11-08
67. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 5 11-06 38
Day 1: 5 11-06
67. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 5 11-06 38
Day 1: 5 11-06
67. Tucker Smith Birmingham, AL 5 11-06 38
Day 1: 5 11-06
70. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 11-06 35
Day 1: 5 11-06
71. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 5 11-05 34
Day 1: 5 11-05
72. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 5 11-04 33
Day 1: 5 11-04
73. Easton Fothergill Grand Rapids , MN 5 11-01 32
Day 1: 5 11-01
73. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 11-01 32
Day 1: 5 11-01
73. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 11-01 32
Day 1: 5 11-01
76. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 11-00 29
Day 1: 5 11-00
76. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 5 11-00 29
Day 1: 5 11-00
76. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 11-00 29
Day 1: 5 11-00
79. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 5 10-14 26
Day 1: 5 10-14
79. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 10-14 26
Day 1: 5 10-14
79. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 5 10-14 26
Day 1: 5 10-14
82. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 5 10-13 23
Day 1: 5 10-13
83. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 5 10-10 22
Day 1: 5 10-10
83. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 10-10 22
Day 1: 5 10-10
85. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 5 10-08 20
Day 1: 5 10-08
85. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 10-08 20
Day 1: 5 10-08
87. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 5 10-07 18
Day 1: 5 10-07
88. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 10-06 17
Day 1: 5 10-06
89. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 5 10-03 16
Day 1: 5 10-03
90. John Cox Debary, FL 5 10-02 15
Day 1: 5 10-02
90. Ben Milliken Omaha, NE 5 10-02 15
Day 1: 5 10-02
92. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 09-15 13
Day 1: 5 09-15
93. Cliff Pace Ovett, MS 5 09-13 12
Day 1: 5 09-13
94. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 5 09-09 11
Day 1: 5 09-09
95. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 5 09-05 10
Day 1: 5 09-05
95. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 09-05 10
Day 1: 5 09-05
97. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 09-03 8
Day 1: 5 09-03
98. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 09-02 7
Day 1: 5 09-02
99. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 5 08-11 6
Day 1: 5 08-11
100. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 08-10 5
Day 1: 5 08-10
101. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 08-09 4
Day 1: 5 08-09
———————————————————————–

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 04-10 $1,000.00

———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 101 505 1260-12
———————————-
101 505 1260-12

Andy Thomas Wins Stop #3 of the Foundations Xperts Kerr Trail

Brian Carter

June 12, 2025

Andy Thomas Wins Stop #3 of the Foundations Xperts Kerr Trail

Tournament #3 of the Foundations Xperts Kerr Trail is in the books.

We had 27 teams show up last Sunday to do one of the 2 things. Either catch fish or sit in Nature’s Sauna and sweat all day. As for me, I spent more time in the Sauna than I did catching fish! IT WAS A HOT ONE!!

Actually, the fish bit fairly well, and as always, they bit better for others.

When the scales closed, Andy Thomas’s single-man team topped the 27-boat field to take home the win. He had a 5-fish limit weighing 15.18 pounds, earning him a total of $1070.00 for the day.

Andy has been fishing with us since the 5 Alive Team Trail started. Andy is one of what I call one of the Good Ol’ Boys. About as nice of a guy as you’re ever going to meet and a good fisherman to boot. Glad to see him Win. CONGRATULATIONS Andy!

He was followed by two guys who are no strangers to the sport. Mike Riggs & David Farrington teamed up and brought home the 2nd place finish. They had a 5 fish limit weighing 14.42 pounds, which got them an extra $645.00 to go home with. Two well-respected Veterans of the sport, and like And,y just Good Ol’ Boys.Great Job, Guys!

Big Fish was won by the team of Walker & Richardson. They had a 4.30-pound fish that earned the $270.00.

Congrats! To everyone who placed money last Sunday.

The next two tournaments are back-to-back weekends.

Sunday, 6/22/2025, is tournament #,4 and the final tournament of the Trail is on 6/29/2025. Both tournaments are out of Ivy Hill Boat Ramp.

If you want to pre-register for any tournaments, contact m,e Kevin Sheppard, at 336-264-8416.

See y’all in 2 weeks. Thanks!

Results.

1st. Andy Thomas- 15.18 pounds- $1070.00 TWT

2nd. Riggs & Farrington- 14.42 pounds- $645.00 TWT

3rd. Johnson & Bowman- 13.61 pounds- $420.00 TWT

4th. Walker & Richardson- 13.03 pounds- $225.00

5th. White & Phillips- 12.87 pounds- $125.00

Big Fish. Walker & Richardson- 4.30 pounds- $270.00

MLF Unveils Dates for 2025 Team Series, Teams for Challenge Cup and Heritage Cup Events

Brian Carter

June 12, 2025

MLF Unveils Dates for 2025 Team Series, Teams for Challenge Cup and Heritage Cup Events

BENTON, Ky. (June 12, 2025) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today the dates, teams and details for the 2025 Major League Fishing Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, which kicks off August 24-29, at a location that will be announced just 30 days prior to the event.

Like 2024, the 2025 MLF Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops is comprised of four Cup events, each featuring two-man teams of Bass Pro Tour anglers competing from the same boat and working together to claim part of a season purse of more than a half of a million dollars.

Each minute of competition from the 2025 MLF Team Series will be livestreamed daily, meaning every cast and every catch will be covered live and fans can watch as teammates work together to break down a brand new body of water in real time.

Each MLF Team Series Cup event will feature 12 two-man teams, divided into three groups as they enter the one-day Elimination Rounds. The top two teams from each of the three Elimination Rounds will advance to the Knockout Rounds on Days 4 and 5. The top two teams from each Knockout Round will then move on to the Championship Round on Day 6, where the final four teams compete for the Cup Championship.

In keeping with traditional MLF Cup protocols, the host city is not revealed to Team Series anglers until one month prior to each event. All fishable waters within 60 miles of that city then become off limits to anglers, and the competitors will discover where they’re competing only after arriving at the boat ramp on the morning of competition. Fans watching the MLFNOW! livestream will find out the fishery right along with the anglers and watch all the action unfold live as teams work together and share their knowledge to break down each fishery in real time.

The dates for the 2025 MLF Team Series are:

Challenge Cup: Aug. 24-29, 2025
Heritage Cup: Sept. 14-19, 2025
Patriot Cup: Oct. 22-27, 2025
Summit Cup: Nov. 16-21, 2025

The first MLF Team Series draft of 2025 took place last week in conjunction with the Bass Pro Tour Lowrance Stage 5 Presented by Mercury at Kentucky Lake, where 24 team captains – based on the 2025 Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings after the first three Bass Pro Tour events – drafted a teammate. Those 24 teams will compete in the first two events, the Challenge Cup (Aug. 24-29) and the Heritage Cup (Sept. 14-19).

The 12 teams that will compete in the Challenge Cup, Aug. 24-29 are:

Team #1:
Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas
Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C.

Team #2:
Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala.
Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla.

Team #3:
Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas
Alton Jones, Lorena, Texas

Team #4:
Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn.
Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn.

Team #5:
Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif.
Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala.

Team #6:
Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark.
Gary Klein, Mingus, Texas

Team #7:
Keith Carson, DeBary, Fla.
Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash.

Team #8:
Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz.

Team #9:
Jake Lawrence, Paris, Tenn.
Colby Miller, Elmer, La.

Team #10:
Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J.
Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala.

Team #11:
Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C.
Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo.

Team #12:
Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla.
Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif.

The 12 teams that will compete in the Heritage Cup, Sept. 14-19 are:

Team #1:
Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich.
Martin Villa, Charlottesville, Va.

Team #2:
Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La.
John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky.

Team #3:
Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La.
Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C

Team #4:
James Elam, Tulsa, Okla.
Gerald Spohrer, St. Francisville, La.

Team #5:
Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill.
Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C.

Team #6:
Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn.
Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark.

Team #7:
Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio
Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn.

Team #8:
Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn.
Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C.

Team #9:
Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn.
Mark Daniels Jr., Tuskegee, Ala.

Team #10:
Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla.
Casey Ashley, Donalds, S.C.

Team #11:
Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla.
Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala.

Team #12:
Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas
Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga.
At Stage 7, 24 new team captains, based on AOY rankings from Stages 4-6, will draft a teammate for the final two Team Series events, the Patriot Cup (Oct. 22-27), and the Summit Cup (Nov. 16-21).

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live every day of competition during the 2025 MLF Team Series. MLFNOW!® is livestreamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF and MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) apps and on Rumble.

Each MLF Team Series episode will air on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour original episodes each Saturday afternoon starting in Q1 of 2026. The complete television schedule will be posted at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Team Series include: Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, E3 Sport Apparel, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, NITRO Boats, Onyx, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, YETI and Zenni.

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

American Bass Sets Itself Apart from Alabama’s Troubled ABA Amid Fishing Industry Turmoil

Bryan Brasher

June 12, 2025

American Bass Sets Itself Apart from Alabama’s Troubled ABA Amid Fishing Industry Turmoil

Western-based American Bass wants distinction from Alabama-based ABA By Bryan Brasher

During a period of unrest in the competitive fishing industry, Craig Sutherland wants you to understand which organization he does work for. More importantly, he wants you to know which one he doesn’t work for.
Sutherland is president of American Bass — a 42-year-old tournament organization that holds more than 200 events each year in 11 states, all in the western region of the country. He is in no way affiliated with American Bass Anglers — an Alabama-based tournament group that has made big news lately by issuing winner’s checks that bounced.

It’s obviously a crucial distinction.
“We want it distinguished that the problems are going on with the American Bass Anglers of Alabama, and it has nothing to do with American Bass,” Sutherland said. “We also go by the name American Bass Association — sometimes referred to as ‘ABA,’ like the ABA from Alabama.

“But our offices are in California, and we want people to know we are a completely different organization.”
Just a few days ago, American Bass Anglers — the one in Alabama — was named in two separate legal complaints on behalf of fishermen who claim they are still waiting on payments from a tournament that happened over a month ago.

Georgia attorney Joe Durham, who is representing the fishermen in the case, told Birmingham-based website al.com. that law enforcement is involved, and felony charges are possible. He also said this isn’t the first time the Alabama-based tournament organization has been accused of sending bad checks and defrauding its members.

Sutherland said he doesn’t hold any ill will toward American Bass Anglers, but he wants everyone to know his organization hasn’t bounced any winner’s checks.

“I actually read somewhere that American Bass Anglers — the one headquartered in Alabama — actually holds tournaments in California,” Sutherland said. “To my knowledge, that’s just not true.”
A quick search of the American Bass Anglers website shows events scheduled as far West as Texas, but most of their tournaments are held closer to the East coast in locales like Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana.
Sutherland’s organization, meanwhile, holds events in western venues like Castaic Lake in California and Lake Havasu in Arizona.

While he doesn’t have any ill will toward other tournament organizations, Sutherland said he has heard questions from some of his membership about the ongoing situation with American Bass Anglers. He expects to hear more at the annual fishing tackle tradeshow ICAST in Orlando, Fla., next month.

“We’re in 11 western states,” he said. “We’ve never tried to go outside of that area or be anyone that we’re not. But more importantly, we haven’t bounced any checks. That’s going on with someone else.”
Sutherland said he worries not only about his membership getting the wrong idea, but his sponsors as well.
“We’ve been doing this since 1983, and we’ve had anglers like Aaron Martens, Dean Rojas, Ish Monroe and even Brandon Palaniuk up in Idaho, fish with us,” he said. “We watched them all develop, and we have sponsors like Bass Cat, Mercury, Daiwa and so many other good ones.

“We don’t want to be involved with anything that reflects poorly on them — and a simple thing like a name doesn’t matter at all…until it does.”

To reach the website for the California-based American Bass, visit americanbass.com.
To reach the Alabama-based American Bass Anglers, visit americanbassanglers.com.

RLVNT Adds Frame to Hi-Tech Fishing/Hunting Sunglasses Family

Bass News

Brian Carter

June 12, 2025

RLVNT Adds Frame to Hi-Tech Fishing/Hunting Sunglasses Family

Designed to cover more of the face while still looking good, anglers and hunters are hot for BUCK

FINLAYSON, MN (June 11, 2025) – True to their name which means “Solving Real Life Vexes with New Technology,” Minnesota-based hi-tech sunglasses manufacturer, RVLNT, is proud to introduce another frame style to its current collection of 13 unique frames. RVLNT’s BUCK is a sturdy, hardworking frame with maximum coverage. Sitting snugly on the wearer’s face, this dynamic frame will block sunlight from all angles. With its thick, durable arms and large wrap lenses, BUCK is sure to be your new favorite sunglasses for all your outdoor adventures.

BLACK FRAME (Shown with Concealment Lens Technology)

BIRCH FRAME (Shown with Concealment Lens Technology)

TORTOISE FRAME (Shown with Concealment Lens Technology)

“We’ve had stellar feedback on this new frame style,” said RLVNT Sales Director, Pat Kalmerton. “It’s designed to keep out light from all angles but still look good on the face. For fishing or hunting, the beta versions we sent out prior to full launch were well received for sharpening up the fishing and hunting experiences while maintaining a fresh, cool look.”“Plus, our glasses are way more than polarized. All lenses are made of Trivex, as opposed to the scratch collecting properties of polycarbonate. Trivex has the same optical clarity as the human eye, significantly lighter, and shatter-resistant.”Originally developed for the military, Trivex is a stronger, lighter, clearer, and overall, far superior lens material to polycarbonate. Trivex is also resistant to chemicals and offers better light refraction than polycarbonate. While Trivex lenses may be more expensive, the clarity, safety features, and built-in UV protection make RLVNT’s sunglasses a worthwhile investment.Kalmerton concluded: “At the end of the day, BUCK caters to those who want a bigger, somewhat boxier frame that doesn’t let in sunlight from the sides and creates a large viewing area when worn. It fits in nicely with our other frames, offering something a lot of anglers and hunters want – basically bigger wrapping lenses and wider, taller, and comfortable arms.”BUCK is available in three frame colors: Grey, Birch, and Tortoise, as well as Brown, Grey, or Chameleon lenses with ScreenVu™, the latter which not only adjusts in shade to light intensity, but provides the wearer with crisp, crystal-clear views of today’s sophisticated fishing electronics or your cell phone while maintaining the benefits of a polarized lens for seeing into the water.

RLVNT’s Chameleon lenses with ScreenVu™ provides crisp, crystal-clear views of today’s sophisticated fishing electronics or your cell phone while maintaining the benefits of a polarized lens for seeing into the water.

How do you pick the best BUCK version for your situation and use? First, you need to choose your base lens color, which can be Brown, optimized for enhancing warm colors in low light, cloudy or shady environments. Grey is great for bright sunshine and reducing brightness without affecting the color balance. The third option is the company’s most popular—Chameleon, which is light adapting for all-day adventures and features ScreenVu™ for clearly and crisply representing digital device screens.

SUNFIRE MIRROR Lens Technology

SMOKE MIRROR Lens Technology

CONCEALMENT Lens Technology

Second, it’s time to pick the mirror style that meets your adventure. BUCK is currently available in eight finishes.Bronze Mirror is best for maximum glare reduction with bright reflections like on snow and ice.Smoke Mirror, too, is good for glared reduction and most suitable for wearers with especially sensitive eyes.Sunfire Mirror is optimized to lower reds, yellows, and oranges while enhancing blues, violets and greens, catering to those fishing in brown or red environments.Blue Mirror is your classic coastal/offshore mirror that lowers blues and enhances reds, golds, and brown.Rose Gold Mirror is perfect for any environment with how it lowers reds and oranges and enhances blues and greens.Red Mirror was designed for those fishing high iron or muddy waters with its ability to lower reds and enhance greens and blues.Green Mirror is great for fishing in heavy greenery; it lowers greens and enhances reds and browns.And lastly, there’s RLVNT’s proprietary Concealment Mirror, which provides UV invisibility from all angles—in other words, invisibility to game and fowl when sitting in the blind.BUCK is also available in Single Vision or Progressive digital prescription types.TAKE HOMESo RLVNT has done it again with BUCK, and just in time for showing off at ICAST 2025 in Orlando, Florida, where they will be exhibiting at Booth 4438. Sign up here now to set a time to see the entire RLVNT lineup and talk with the tech-heads whose goal is to give all outdoors enthusiasts an edge! Try on a pair and we know you’ll be impressed!

RLVNT’s Chameleon lenses with ScreenVu™ self-adjust shading to the available ambient light. As a result, the lenses also perform at dawn, dusk, and during overcast conditions.

View Online Version

Bubba & Colden Baker win the CATT Lake Wateree Open with 5 bass weighing 17.20 lbs

Brian Carter

June 12, 2025

Bubba & Colden Baker win the CATT Lake Wateree Open with 5 bass weighing 17.20 lbs

Next Lake Wateree Open is June 14 at Clearwater Cove Marina! $60 Entry! No membership!

Bubba Baker & Colden Baker win the Lake Wateree Open with 5 bass weighing 17.20 lbs!

Team	BF	Weight	Winnings	Points
Bubba Baker & Colden Baker	4.09	17.20	$880.00	110
Johnny Barfield & Justin Barfield	3.50	14.34	$325.00	109
Chad Rabon & Walt Almond	2.96	13.56		108
Steve Phillips & Randall Bock (Sub Dustin Neal)	3.52	13.05		107
Adam Wells & James Lewis	3.44	12.54		106
Scott Floyd	3.57	10.99		105
Paul Wells & Craig Haven	0.00	10.56		104
Jeffrey Furr & Geroge Furr (Sub Gray Davis)	3.17	6.62		103
Chris Joyner & Jamie Medlin	2.72	6.21		102
Zack Mock & Jaxon Mock	2.78	6.04		101
Chad Gainey & Mack Kitchens	0.00	0.00		91
Darrell Fenton & Tim Horvath	0.00	0.00		91
Robert Jackson & Curtis Jackson	0.00	0.00		91

2025 Wateree Open Points			$1,100.00
2025 Wateree Open Final Fund			$1,305.00

MLF Pros Give Back to Kentucky Lake Community During MLF Bass Pro Tour Lowrance Stage 5 Presented by Mercury

Brian Carter

June 11, 2025

MLF Pros Give Back to Kentucky Lake Community During MLF Bass Pro Tour Lowrance Stage 5 Presented by Mercury

CALVERT CITY, Ky. (June 11, 2025) – Last week, professional anglers from the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour spent their off day before competition at Lowrance Stage 5 at Kentucky Lake Presented by Mercury giving back to the local community in two impactful ways – restoring fish habitat through the Minn Kota Habitat Restoration Project Supported by Humminbird and Kubota, and meeting with fans during a lively Jet-A-Marina Meet and Greet.

LINK TO PHOTO GALLERY FROM EVENTS

In partnership with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), the MLF Fisheries Management Division (FMD) held its fourth habitat project of the 2025 season, constructing and deploying 50 MossBack Fish Habitat ReedMat structures into Kentucky Lake. The structures were built at the Kentucky Lake Dam State Park by a team that included Bass Pro Tour anglers Gary Klein and Nick LeBrun, FMD Director Steven Bardin, MLF staff, KDFWR biologists, and staff from First Choice Farm and Lawn Calvert City.

Three of the newly created habitat sites are accessible only by boat, while one is available to shore anglers from the ADA Fishing Jetty off U.S. 641, making the effort beneficial for a wide range of Kentucky Lake anglers. Built from recycled PVC, the MossBack ReedMats will provide long-term fish habitat, particularly appealing to panfish and bass, enhancing the lake’s ecosystem and improving recreational fishing opportunities.

“These projects are so important to me because it’s crucial to give back to the communities and the local resources,” said Louisiana pro Nick LeBrun. “As an angler, you sometimes wonder ‘What can I do to really make a difference?’ We can get hands-on, and these FMD events are an easy and meaningful way for us to give back.”

This event marked the fourth Minn Kota Habitat Restoration Project of the 2025 Bass Pro Tour season, following similar successful efforts during Stage 1 at Lake Conroe in Texas, Stage 3 at Lake Murray in South Carolina, and Stage 4 at Lake Chickamauga in Tennessee.

Later that same day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jet-A-Marina in Calvert City hosted a fan-focused MLF Meet and Greet, where 19 of the Bass Pro Tour pros spent the afternoon interacting with local fishing fans. The event featured autograph signings, photo ops, cornhole games, free food, raffles, giveaways and a kids’ coloring station, creating a fun and festive atmosphere ahead of tournament action.

MLF anglers in attendance included Josh Bertrand, Brent Chapman, Dustin Connell, Justin Cooper, Mark Daniels Jr., Brent Ehrler, Edwin Evers, Cole Floyd, Drew Gill, Alton Jones, Chris Lane, Jeremy Lawyer, Andy Montgomery, Ron Nelson, Skeet Reese, Terry Scroggins, Wesley Strader, Bryan Thrift and David Walker.

“Any time we get to interact with fans, it’s always a good thing,” said NITRO pro Andy Montgomery. “They’re the lifeblood of our sport. These events are our way of supporting the fans, our sponsors, and our careers – all rolled into one.”

Wednesday not only reinforced MLF’s commitment to conservation and community engagement but also energized fans and anglers alike as they prepared to kick off Stage Five competition on Kentucky Lake – hosted by the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Calloway County Tourism Commission – the following day.

Thanks to our partners at Bass Pro Shops, NITRO, Ranger Boats, Jet-A-Marina and First Choice Farm and Lawn for their continued support and hospitality.

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Meet the New Kings of Bass: How Easton Fothergill and Dustin Connell Redefined Tournament Fishing in 2025

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The Rookie Who Wouldn’t Quit: Easton Fothergill’s Classic Comeback

“I didn’t chase the same spots as everyone else,” Fothergill said post-win. “I trusted my instincts and targeted shallow wood with a finesse jig—places I knew big ones lived but others overlooked.”