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Dickson’s True Skips Docks to Win Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Tims Ford Lake

Boater winner Austin True of Dickson, Tennessee, and Strike-King co-angler winner Rex Henry of Hixson, Tennessee.
Hixson’s Henry Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division

WINCHESTER, Tenn. (April 22, 2024) – Boater Austin True of Dickson, Tennessee, caught a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 8 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Tims Ford Lake. The tournament was the second event of the season for the BFL Music City Division. True earned $2,883 for his victory.

Before the tournament, True found some spawning fish in the Elk River and thought this BFL tournament would be a spawn event. But in practice on Friday, he realized he’d have to change his strategy due to warming weather.

“I skipped a ChatterBait up under a dock and caught like a 5-pounder,” he said. “So using my (Garmin) LiveScope, I determined there were fish suspending up under docks. All my fish that were spawning, were now suspending under docks.”

True changed it up in the tournament. He caught a decent smallmouth first thing in the morning on a 4-inch 6th Sense Crush Dogma topwater bait in French bone pearl.

“From there, I took a jumbo (7-inch) Strike King Ocho on a baitcaster with 20-pound fluorocarbon, and I just skipped it as far back under the dock as I could. And hold on!” True said. “I enjoyed it because I didn’t have to stare at the LiveScope all day. I could see the structure I was fishing, and I fished confident.”

True, who works as an electrician at Wolfe & Travis Electric in Nashville, finished the tournament with four largemouths and the one smallmouth he caught in the morning. All his best docks were situated on channel-swing banks where he found wads of shad.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Austin True, Dickson, Tenn., five bass, 19-8, $2,883
2nd:       Jacob Woods, Loudon, Tenn., five bass, 17-12, $1,442
3rd:       Alex Gault, Elora, Tenn., five bass, 17-4, $960
4th:        Jason Cooper, Shelbyville, Tenn., five bass, 15-1, $673
5th:        Brent Sain, Manchester, Tenn., five bass, 14-14, $553
5th:        Jed Lamb, Chapel Hill, Tenn., five bass, 14-14, $1,053 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
7th:        Kyle Palmer, Winchester, Tenn., five bass, 14-9, $481
8th:        Josh Womack, Gallatin, Tenn., five bass, 14-2, $433
9th:        William Merrick, Wartrace, Tenn., five bass, 13-11, $660
9th:        Scotty Sudberry, Tullahoma, Tenn., five bass, 13-11, $360

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Wesley D. Taylor of Estill Springs, Tennessee, caught a bass that weighed 4 pounds, 11 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass boater award of $320.



Rex Henry of Hixson, Tennessee, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,602 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 15 pounds, 1 ounce.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

1st:        Rex Henry, Hixson, Tenn., five bass, 15-1, $1,602
2nd:       John Fitzpatrick, Baxter, Tenn., five bass, 13-10, $721
3rd:       Mark Redman, Bowling Green, Ky., four bass, 12-11, $483
4th:        Kevin Jones, Fort Campbell, Ky., four bass, 10-14, $336
5th:        Wayne Crouch, Jamestown, Tenn., five bass, 10-13, $388
6th:        Kevin Barton, Portland, Tenn., five bass, 10-3, $264
7th:        Darryl Lee, Portland, Tenn., three bass, 9-9, $240
8th:        Thomas Coker, Manchester, Tenn., three bass, 8-13, $216
9th:        Jordan Harris, Fayetteville, Tenn., four bass, 8-2, $192
10th:     Brandon Adcock, McMinnville, Tenn., three bass, 6-15, $168

Henry also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $160, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 3 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After two events, Jacob Woods of Loudon, Tennessee, leads the Fishing Clash Music City Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 972 points, while Kevin Jones of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, leads the Fishing Clash Music City Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 495 points.

The next event for BFL Music City Division anglers will be held May 11, at Center Hill Lake in Sparta, Tennessee. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 17-19 BFL Regional tournament on Clarks Hill Lake in Appling, Georgia. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.

The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.

Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota and YETI.

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



TJ Ford & Carl Black Win CATT Lake Monticello, SC April 20, 2024

Next up Lake Monticello is the Spring Final April 27th! You only had to enter 1 Monticello Qualifier to be eligible to enter! To view the points, go to the Monticello Division page and scroll all the way down!

Randy Rose & Travis Robinson win the Monticello Spring Points and will receive plaques plus free entry at the Final!

TJ Ford & Carl Black 1st Place at Monticello with 5 bass weighing 16.98 lbs! BF broke the tie!

Scott Roton & Johnny Mayer 2nd Place with 16.98 lbs!

TeamBFWeightWinningsPoints
TJ Ford – Carl Black4.4616.98$565.00110
Scott Roton – Johnny Mayer4.3916.98$150.00109
Randy Rose – Travis Robinson4.0916.00108
Timothy Austin Knox – Jason Branham4.3214.50107
Chad Bradford – Phillip Thompson4.0014.29106
Cory Vaughan – Devin Black0.0013.52105
Noah Wylie Scott – Elliott Scott3.368.39104
Charlie Childers – Ben Sherbert2.528.04103
Ron Felton – Devin Rivera2.754.42102
Chase Mount – Ronald Davis0.000.0092
Jason Ries – Roger McKee0.000.0092
Tyler Jackson – Tanner Jackson0.000.0092
Total Entrys$600.00
BONUS $$$225.00
Total Paid At Ramp$715.00
2024 Monticello Final Fund$100.00
2024 CATT Championship Fund$10.00
2024 Monticello Spring Final Fund$440.00



Shane Cantley & Michael Richardson Win CATT Lake Wateree, SC Spring Final April 20, 2024

The 2024 Lake Wateree Spring Final is a wrap with 20 teams entering and taking home a lot of cash!  The 2024 Summer Schedule is posted, and we have more Opens coming up. We will continue to mix in some $60 entry Opens with the $100 Opens!

*** We canceled the Open & CATT Summer on May 18th! The Take a Child Tournament will be held that day!

2024 Wateree Summer Schedule!

This is the Summer portion of the Wateree Opens coming up!

Michael Richardson & Shane Cantley win the Spring Wateree Final with 5 bass weighing 18.52 lbs! They took home $2,540.00!

Colden Baker & Manning Gross took 2nd with 5 bass weighing 16.02 lbs!

Greg Nettles & Matt Nettles 3rd with 15.99 lbs!

Jeff & Jacob Norris took 4th with 15.60 lbs!

Paul Wells & Craig Haven 2024 Lake Wateree Spring Point Winners!

TeamBFWeightWinnings
Shane Cantley & Michael Richardson4.8718.52$2,540.00
Colden Baker & Manning Gross4.1916.02$1,300.00
Greg Nettles & Matt Nettles4.3815.99$790.00
Jeff Norris & Jacob Norris4.2015.60$300.00
Chad Gainey & Mack Kitchens3.8515.03
Chad Sinclair4.3614.89
Butch Williams & Sonny Beam3.2614.17
Bubba Baker & Joni Baker4.9913.97$200.00
Mitchell Gordan & James Thompson4.1813.82
Scott Faile3.0213.60
Craig Haven & Paul Wells3.8913.20
Dearal Rodgers & Trent McLaughlin2.9612.60
Brent Neal & Max Price2.7312.53
Mike Ware & Josh Finley3.0111.56
Steven Sparrow2.9611.28
Greg Atkinson & Anitra Atkinson3.2710.16
Robbie English & Scott Williams2.938.29
Jess Williams & Mark Healon0.000.00
Greg Sigmon & Tracy Pope0.000.00
Steve Phillips0.000.00



Oxford’s Hodge Overcomes High-Water Conditions to Win Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Grenada Lake

Boater winner Blake Hodge of Oxford, Mississippi, and Strike-King co-angler winner Jeff Ingle of Como, Mississippi.
Como’s Ingle Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division

GRENADA, Miss. (April 22, 2024) – Boater Blake Hodge of Oxford, Mississippi, caught a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds, 6 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Grenada Lake . Hosted by the Grenada Tourism Commission, the tournament was the second event of the season for the BFL Mississippi Division. Hodge earned $9,813, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.

Heavy rains ahead of the tournament had Grenada’s water well out of its banks when the BFL kicked off. Hodge followed the rising water into newly flooded fields of grass.

“I practiced a couple days last week and found a couple grass flats and was just targeting bass that were on hard or clean spots inside flat pieces of bank,” he said.

“I had three spots that I could put the nose of my boat in and make the same cast over and over.”

Hodge caught fish from as shallow as 6 inches of water by trolling his boat up as far as he could go and then bombing long casts. His key bait was a SPRO Bronzeye Frog, which produced a pair of keepers that Hodge brought to weigh-in.

“You had to work that area for probably 30 to 45 minutes until you made one of them bite,” he added.

Once he exhausted the frog pattern, Hodge made an adjustment and ran new water – mostly deeper postspawn areas where he was able to get bit throwing a BOOYAH Covert Spinnerbait with orange and gold blades.

Even though the high water had Hodge questioning whether he’d even be able to catch a keeper coming into the tournament, he wound up landing six fish and culling up to win by almost 6 pounds.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Blake Hodge, Oxford, Miss., five bass, 17-6, $9,813 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd:       Barrett Saunders, Hammond, La., five bass, 11-10, $1,274
3rd:       Dakota Fleming, Oak Grove, La., five bass, 10-5, $848
4th:        Dakota Shaw, Millport, Ala., four bass, 9-11, $594
5th:        Scott Whitehead, Columbus, Miss., five bass, 8-11, $810
6th:        Tim McDaniel, Grenada, Miss., four bass, 8-10, $467
7th:        Jeff Johnston, Marion, Ark., four bass, 8-1, $425
8th:        Clint Pegg, Caledonia, Miss., four bass, 6-12, $507
9th:        Kenneth Underwood, Columbus, Miss., three bass, 6-6, $340
10th:     Chris Jones, Senatobia, Miss., three bass, 5-15, $297

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Hodge’s limit included a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 3 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $265.



Jeff Ingle of Como, Mississippi, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,274 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 11 pounds, 8 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

1st:        Jeff Ingle, Como, Miss., five bass, 11-8, $1,274
2nd:       Troy Ladner, Bay Saint Louis, Miss., four bass, 7-8, $737
3rd:       Brayden Gray, Pontotoc, Miss., three bass, 5-8, $424
4th:        Christopher Daughdrill, Foxworth, Miss., two bass, 5-0, $297
5th:        Thomas Smith, Brandon, Miss., three bass, 3-15, $255
6th:        Joe Cornelius, Corinth, Miss., one bass, 3-9, $366
7th:        Roy Steed, Madison, Miss., one bass, 3-6, $212
8th:        Auston Ballard, Smithville, Miss., two bass, 2-12, $191
9th:        Randy Maples, Amory, Miss., one bass, 2-7, $170
10th:     Ryan LeCompte, Picayune, Miss., two bass, 2-3, $149

Joe Cornelius of Corinth, Mississippi, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $132, catching a bass that weighed in at 3 pounds, 9 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After two events, Barrett Saunders of Hammond, Louisiana, leads the Fishing Clash Mississippi Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 493 points, while Thomas Smith of Brandon, Mississippi, leads the Fishing Clash Mississippi Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 493 points.

The next event for BFL Mississippi Division anglers will be held May 11, at Lake Sardis in Sardis, Mississippi. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 17-19 BFL Regional tournament on Wright Patman Lake in Texarkana, Texas. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.

The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.

Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota and YETI.

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



West Palm Beach’s Terescenko Posts Second Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Okeechobee

Boater winner Alex Terescenko of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Strike-King co-angler winner Adam Giran of Wesley Chapel, Florida.
West Chapel’s Giran Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division

CLEWISTON, Fla. (April 22, 2024) – Boater Alex Terescenko of West Palm Beach, Florida, caught a five-bass limit weighing 28 pounds, 3 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Okeechobee . Hosted by Roland & Mary Ann Martin’s Marina & Resort, the tournament was the fourth event of the season for the BFL Gator Division. Terescenko earned $3,804 for his victory.

Terescenko certainly put together a solid bag of fish, but it wasn’t hot-and-heavy fishing.

“I pretty much caught all my fish on a homemade vibrating jig,” said Terescenko. “I didn’t really get much time to practice, but when I did practice I found a whole bunch of Mayan cichlid beds. They were loaded with cichlids.”

Cichlids are similar to bluegills, at least in size and their habit of spawning in clusters or colonies. And the bass prey on them during the cichlid spawn.

Terescenko was able to get bit in practice, but he knew he likely would have to adjust in the tournament because the wind kept switching directions. That kind of weather change in spring in south Florida calls for adjustments in fishing tactics, too.

“I really, really slowed down, and I was almost crawling the bait on the bottom,” he said.

Slowing down proved to be the deciding factor. Terescenko said other anglers were in his area fishing faster but weren’t having the same results. In fact, he never fired up his big motor the entire day and only burned through about 20 percent of his trolling motor batteries. He just worked a triangular area of three bedding zones, each about 50 yards apart, and made cast after cast.

“Patience was definitely a big thing for me,” he said. “That’s something that takes years to learn as a fisherman, but that’s what really came in clutch.”

Terescenko fished a green pumpkin Gambler Komodo as a trailer on his vibrating jig, and he dipped the tails in chartreuse. The jig had a green pumpkin skirt. He also caught a couple fish on a white vibrating jig.

The 31-year-old angler is a custom rod builder who owns Scenko Stix rod brand, which he runs with his girlfriend, Jenna Vlaar. He won the tournament using a 7-foot, 4-inch rod of his making that he calls the Chatter Trap.

“A lot of guys that throw a ChatterBait will use a composite blend rod,” he said. “It kind of has the benefits of the glass and composite, where if they (the fish) do eat that bait at the boat, it’ll have enough give and parabolic bend to not pull the hook. I designed the Chatter Trap where the blank is pretty thin but the walls are pretty thick, giving it a really nice whippy, crisp feel. It casts great and keeps fish pinned.

“You can really lean into them and not worry about your line breaking or pulling the hook. It’s very forgiving, but very strong at the same time. It’s definitely our best seller.”

Terescenko thanked his local community for supporting his rod business. He also thanked his Vlaar for her support, as well as his parents, who covered his entry fee to fish the BFL event.

“None of this would be possible without them,” he added.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Alex Terescenko, West Palm Beach, Fla., five bass, 28-3, $3,804
2nd:       Eric Beaty, Plantation, Fla., five bass, 27-0, $2,407
3rd:       Joseph Carter, Orlando, Fla., five bass, 26-0, $1,267
4th:        Dylan Quilatan, Windermere, Fla., five bass, 25-15, $1,188
5th:        Luis Lindstedt, Melbourne, Fla., five bass, 25-14, $1,261 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
6th:        Clay Mock, Winter Haven, Fla., five bass, 25-1, $697
7th:        Aaron Yavorsky, Palm Harbor, Fla., five bass, 24-4, $634
8th:        Robert Chase Burlew, Inverness, Fla., five bass, 23-7, $571
9th:        Timothy King, Fort Myers, Fla., five bass, 21-14, $507
10th:     Adam Hall, Bryceville, Fla, five bass, 21-11, $444

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Eric Beaty of Plantation, Florida, caught a bass that weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass boater award of $505.



Adam Giran of Wesley Chapel, Florida, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,902 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 19 pounds, 8 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

1st:        Adam Giran, Wesley Chapel, Fla., five bass, 19-8, $1,902
2nd:       Matt Russell, Elkton, Md., five bass, 19-2, $1,303
3rd:       Timothy Perdue, Casselberry, Fla., four bass, 16-15, $634
4th:        David Jones, Umatilla, Fla., five bass, 16-4, $444
5th:        Chase Brumfield, Middleburg, Fla., five bass, 16-1, $380
6th:        Sean Ripley, Lakeland, Fla., five bass, 15-1, $349
7th:        Sam Goldberg, Boynton Beach, Fla., five bass, 14-11, $317
8th:        David White, Winter Garden, Fla., five bass, 14-8, $285
9th:        Pat Herolt, Citrus Springs, Fla., five bass, 14-7, $254
10th:     Jordan Elmore, Saint Petersburg, Fla., five bass, 14-4, $222

Matt Russell of Elkton, Maryland, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $252, catching a bass that weighed in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After four events, Ryan Crowley of Yulee, Florida, leads the Fishing Clash Gator Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 949 points, while Evrett Hunter of Inverness, Florida, leads the Fishing Clash Gator Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 961 points.

The next event for BFL Gator Division anglers will be held Sept. 28-29, at Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston, Florida. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 10-12 BFL Regional tournament on Santee Cooper Lakes in Clarendon County, South Carolina. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.

The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.

Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota and YETI.

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



MillerTech Renews and Expands Major League Fishing Sponsorship

Leading Lithium Battery and Renewable Energy Product Brand Expands Sponsorship as Official Sponsor of the MLF Bass Pro Tour and Title Sponsor of Bass Pro Tour Stage Four

BENTON, Ky. (April 23, 2024) – Major League Fishing (MLF) and MillerTech, a premium lithium battery company known for harnessing the power of innovation, integrity and exceptional customer service, announced today a renewed and expanded partnership through the 2024 season. In addition to being an Official Sponsor of the 2024 Bass Pro Tour, MillerTech has been named the title sponsor of the 2024 MLF Bass Pro Tour MillerTech Stage Four Presented by REDCON1, held April 30 – May 5 at Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Oklahoma.

“Many of our tournament anglers rely on MillerTech Lithium Batteries to keep their boats and electronics charged so they can focus on the competition,” said Kathy Fennel, MLF Executive Vice President and General Manager. “We’re thrilled to renew and expand our partnership through the 2024 season and are proud to continue to showcase the MillerTech brand on and off the water to our loyal MLF fans.”

MillerTech began its partnership with MLF in 2023. Per terms of its renewed agreement, the brand will receive increased exposure through multiple MLF outlets, including television and livestream broadcasts, the MLF website and social media outlets and onsite activation opportunities and signage at MillerTech Stage Four and all Bass Pro Tour events.

In addition to the MLF sponsorship, MillerTech will continue to sponsor a growing list of Bass Pro Tour pros, including Adrian Avena, Brent Chapman, Dustin Connell, David Dudley, Cole Floyd, Anthony Gagliardi, John Hunter, Justin Lucas, Fred Roumbanis, Ryan Salzman, Colby Schrumpf, Greg Vinson, Joshua Weaver and Jacob Wheeler.

“The team at MillerTech Lithium Batteries is honored to be the title sponsor for Stage Four of the 2024 Bass Pro Tour,” said Lester Miller, General Manager, MillerTech Energy Solutions, LLC.  “When our great team of professional anglers take on this awesome fishery, it will be extremely important for them to have reliable battery systems that can give them confidence and the peace of mind that they deserve.  

“We are blessed to be able to provide that for them. This sponsorship is only one way for us to show our appreciation to the anglers and the fishing community that continues to support our brand, and our mission of creating a better tomorrow!”

For more information about MLF, its tournaments and sponsors, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. To learn more about MillerTech, its commitment to innovation, integrity and a brighter, greener future, visit MillerTechEnergy.com.



Bass Pro Shops’ Latest Expansion: What It Means for Bass Fishing Enthusiasts and the Retail Landscape

Bass Pro Shops Expansion: A Game-Changer for Bass Fishing Retail

Attention, all you bass fishing enthusiasts out there! We have exciting news that is sure to make your reels spin with anticipation. The ever-popular Bass Pro Shops, already a behemoth in the world of fishing retail, is preparing to open not one, not two, but three new stores! And we’re not talking about your run-of-the-mill fishing shops. No, these will be mega-stores catering to all of your fishing needs and then some. With locations set to open in Spring, TX; Niles, OH; and Clifton Park, NY, Bass Pro Shops is affirming its commitment to ensuring that there is always a haven for anglers within reasonable reach1.

“What’s the big deal?” you might be wondering. Well, allow me to share with you the magnitude of this expansion and what it means for the future of bass fishing retail. This move represents a seismic shift in the industry, evidencing the growing popularity of bass fishing and the outdoor lifestyle. Beyond being mere structures stocked with fishing gear, these stores will serve as community hubs, where anglers of all levels can converge, share stories, and kindle their passion for fishing.

Certainly, the impact goes far beyond Bass Pro Shops itself. The expansion of this retail giant serves as a rising tide that lifts all boats in the bass fishing industry. More stores mean increased access to gear, job opportunities for fishing aficionados, and an enhanced platform for promoting conservation and outdoor education.

But let’s delve deeper into the implications for bass fishing retail. The growth of Bass Pro Shops inexorably reshapes the landscape, bringing both challenges and opportunities to other players in the market. While it may seem daunting for smaller retailers to go head-to-head with such a giant, the truth is that the overall growth in interest and sales sparked by Bass Pro Shops’ expansion will benefit the entire industry. The greater availability of fishing gear in these new stores might attract a larger customer base, expanding the market and driving growth across the board.

Moreover, the presence of Bass Pro Shops in local communities acts as a catalyst for economic development. When a new store opens, it injects vitality into the surrounding economy. Think about it – jobs are created, tourism is fostered, and local businesses thrive. It’s not just the direct employment opportunities at the store itself but also the ripple effect that benefits a myriad of other establishments. Restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and various retail shops experience an uplift as fishing enthusiasts come from near and far to visit the Bass Pro Shops mecca.

At its core, however, Bass Pro Shops has always embodied a commitment to more than just selling fishing rods and tackle. Conservation and the drive to help families immerse themselves in the wonders of the great outdoors are deeply ingrained in the company’s ethos. With the establishment of these new mega-stores, Bass Pro Shops reinforces that commitment on a grander scale. By building community hubs where anglers can congregate, learn, and share their passion, the company ensures that future generations have abundant opportunities to fall in love with bass fishing and the natural world1.

In conclusion, the expansion of Bass Pro Shops represents a pivotal moment for anyone who cherishes bass fishing. It signifies the sport’s surging popularity and foreshadows even greater possibilities in the future. Whether you are a seasoned pro or just getting your feet wet in the world of angling, these new stores will serve as a portal to a realm of adventure right in your backyard.

Get ready to gear up and go fishing – the future of bass fishing retail looks brighter than ever! So let’s cast our lines, reel in some memories, and enjoy every minute of this thrilling ride. The world of bass fishing is calling, and Bass Pro Shops is answering with open arms.



Zac Wagner & Aaron Novitski Win CATT Cooper River with 5 bass weighing 25.77lbs

Next up is the Cooper River Spring Final April 27th! $130 Final Entry – $140 at Ramp Optional $25 side pot! You only had to enter 1 Cooper River Spring Qualifier to be eligible to enter the Final!

Bubba Dennis & Kevin Brock win the Cooper River Spring Points and will fish the Final free!

Zac Wagner & Aaron Novitski win the Cooper River with 5 bass weighing 25.77 lbs!

Justin Craven & Michael Craven weighed in 17.39 lbs good enough for 2nd Place PLUS they weighed in the BNF at a whopping 10.93 lbs!

3rd went to Michael Gammons with 16.62 lbs!

Brian Brunson & Andrew Crump 4th Place 15.44 lbs!

CJ Cannington took 5th with 13.15 lbs!

6th Place David Driggers & Lamce Lambert 12.48 lbs!

TeamBFWeightWinningsPoints
Zac Wagner – Aaron Novitski8.2725.77$1,075.00110
Justin Craven – Michael Craven10.9317.39$475.00109
Michael Gammons5.4816.62$200.00108
Brian Brunson – Andrew Crump6.3315.44$150.00107
CJ Cannington0.0013.15$125.00106
David Driggers – Lance Lambert4.6812.48$100.00105
Johnny Brinson – Jay Ayers3.8312.34$75.00104
Scotty Mixon – Daphine Mixon5.4212.08103
Brant Schuler – Hunter Hackworth0.0011.21102
Grant Powell – Travis Gatlin0.0010.61101
Joseph Giampa – Justin Giampa0.0010.55100
Michael Dibelo – Edward Punchak3.9310.1299
Andrew Baker – Charlie Baker0.009.9298
Chris Jimenez – Brian Gainey0.009.3197
Kyle Welch – James Fender0.009.0896
Jimmy McCants – Bob Watford0.008.7895
Brian Surowiec – Walter Cumbee0.008.7494
Bubba Dennis – Kevin Brock0.008.1293
Kyle Howard- Joey Howard0.007.7992
Willie Weatherford -Willie Weatherford0.007.6491
Glen Varner – Vic Varner0.007.6090
Joey Robertson – Brian McMillian0.007.0289
Michael Ard – Jeff Parsons0.006.7688
Jimmy King – Louie Lewis0.006.5987
Darrel Knies0.005.6886
David Padgett0.003.7685
Mike Freeman – Nick Kirk0.001.6984
Sean McElhaney0.000.0074
John Henry Ebeling – Hunter Christensen0.000.0074
Troy Hutt – Ben Newman0.000.0074
Thomas Hepstall0.000.0074
Winkey Watford – Wyatt Watford0.000.0074
James Skelton0.000.0074
Chad Pennell- Brandon Riley0.000.0074
Drew Brown – Brandon McMillian0.000.0074
Total Entrys$2,100.00
BONUS $$575.00
Total Paid At Ramp$2,200.00
Cooper River 2024 Spring Final Fund$100.00
2024 CATT Championship Fund$25.00
Cooper River 2024 Spring Final Fund Total$610.00



Virginia’s Winebarger Earns First Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at South Holston Lake

Boater winner Clayton Winebarger of Abingdon, Virginia, and Strike-King co-angler winner Saige Evans of Abingdon, Virginia.
Saige Evans, of Abingdon, Va., Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division

BRISTOL, Tenn. (April 22, 2024) – Boater Clayton Winebarger of Abingdon, Virginia, caught a five-bass limit weighing 20 pounds even Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on South Holston Lake . The tournament was the second event of the season for the BFL Volunteer Division. Winebarger earned $9,235, including the lucrative $5,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.

Not surprisingly for April, the smallmouth spawn was on for the BFL event at South Holston. The spawning bite is typically a dominant pattern this time of year, and because everyone knows it, winning during the spawn can come down to who gets to the best banks first.

“I found a few banks that had some fish on them and was lucky enough to get boat No. 2,” Winebarger said. “I was lucky enough to get on a good bank really quick. I caught three good ones within the first hour.”

After that, he ran up the lake to another stretch and was able to finish out a quality limit. His best fish, however, came later.

“In practice, I had caught a 4½-pounder on a bank not far from where I started. That was on Thursday evening,” he said, “and I knew exactly where it was at. In the tournament, there was actually three boats that got on that bank right at blastoff while I was catching the other three good ones. So I couldn’t get on it. Later in the day, I ran back down to that bank and was able get on it and catch it (the same fish from practice), and that was the biggest one I had today.”

Winebarger caught his fish Texas-rigging a small green worm with either a 1/8- or 3/16-ounce weight.

Occasionally, if the fish got finicky, he changed colors – even using a pink worm. He caught his fish from about 5 to 16 feet deep.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Clayton Winebarger, Abingdon, Va., five bass, 20-0, $9,235 (includes $5,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd:       Corey Neece, Bristol, Tenn., five bass, 19-9, $2,418
3rd:       Jimmy Neece Jr., Bristol, Tenn., five bass, 19-0, $1,413
4th:        Colton Chambers, Elizabethton, Tenn., five bass, 18-10, $988
5th:        Matthew Rock, Bristol, Va., five bass, 18-3, $776
5th:        Brian Barnett, Bluff City, Tenn., five bass, 18-3, $776
5th:        Derrick Snavely, Piney Flats, Tenn., five bass, 18-3, $776
8th:        Hunter McClaskey, Elizabethton, Tenn., five bass, 18-2, $635
9th:        Cody Fuller, Bluefield, W.Va., five bass, 17-12, $529
9th:        David Tolbert, Bristol, Tenn., five bass, 17-12, $529

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Randy Oliver of Johnson City, Tennessee, caught a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 1 ounce, and earned the Berkley Big Bass boater award of $590.



Saige Evans of Abingdon, Virginia, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,064 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 16 pounds, 4 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

1st:        Saige Evans, Abingdon, Va., five bass, 16-4, $2,064
2nd:       Mac Fritts, Caryville, Tenn., five bass, 15-14, $1,032
3rd:       Keith Gunsauls, Dandridge, Tenn., five bass, 15-9, $688
4th:        Caleb Chambers, Elizabethton, Tenn., five bass, 14-15, $447
4th:        Kyle Musick, Abingdon, Va., five bass, 14-15, $447
6th:        Don Bible, Knoxville, Tenn., five bass, 14-10, $378
7th:        Matthew Faulkner, Corbin, Ky., five bass, 14-9, $714
7th:        Shane Winebarger, Abingdon, Va., five bass, 14-9, $327
9th:        Will Castle, Cleveland, Va., five bass, 14-8, $258
9th:        Brayden Ringley, Piney Flats, Tenn., five bass, 14-8, $258

Matthew Faulkner of Corbin, Kentucky, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $287, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 11 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After two events, Jimmy Neece Jr. of Bristol, Tennessee, leads the Fishing Clash Volunteer Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 498 points, while Keith Gunsauls of Dandridge, Tennessee, leads the Fishing Clash Volunteer Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 484 points.

The next event for BFL Volunteer Division anglers will be held May 11, at Douglas Lake in Dandridge, Tennessee. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 17-19 BFL Regional tournament on Clarks Hill Lake in Appling, Georgia. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.

The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.

Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota and YETI.

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

Retired U.S. Air Force Vet Earns First Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at DeGray Lake

Boater winner Justin Howard of Austin, Arkansas, and Strike-King co-angler winner Jonathan Dotson of Dover, Arkansas.
Boater Justin Howard of Austin, Arkansas, catches 18-10 limit to top third Arkie Division event of season

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. (April 22, 2024) – Boater Justin Howard of Austin, Arkansas, caught a five-bass limit weighing 18 pounds, 10 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on DeGray Lake. Hosted by the City of Caddo Valley , the tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Arkie Division. Howard earned $4,394 for his victory.

Howard, who retired a couple years ago after a 25-year career in the U.S. Air Force, put in some prep time for this event. Though he didn’t find a lot of bass on beds, he found a key spawning fish that helped him kick off the tournament first thing in the morning. That fish weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces and earned him the Berkley Big Bass award on the boater side.

“I thought if I could catch her, I had an area mid-lake with some cuts that had some better fish flipping bushes and throwing a (Z-Man Evergreen ChatterBait) Jack Hammer. It was nothing really crazy or out of the ordinary. I just found the right areas.”

Howard’s goal was to catch four more keepers that weighed about 10 pounds to go with his kicker, and he nailed it right on the money. The key to his best area was wind blowing in, which helped in the clear water by breaking up the surface. He also experienced a productive stretch during a bout of rain.

For his flipping fish, Howard used a Rapala Crush City Cleanup Craw. He also credits the reliability of his Skeeter Yamaha boat-and-engine combo and his Costa Del Mar sunglasses with copper lenses for his win.

After a military career that took him all over the globe, Howard is proud to be in Arkansas competing against what he believes are some of the best bass anglers in the country. He said things just went right for him during the tournament.

“When we got to Arkansas in 2016, I really got into it (tournament fishing) heavy after coming from Alaska because I’ve always loved bass fishing,” Howard said. “I had fished some as a co-angler back in the day when I was stationed down in Georgia. I thought if today ain’t the day, I don’t know when it’s going to happen.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:        Justin Howard, Austin, Ark., five bass, 18-10, $4,394
2nd:       Shawn Gordon, Russellville, Ark., five bass, 14-9, $2,065
3rd:       Rance Warden, Searcy, Ark., five bass, 14-6, $1,293
4th:        Drew Dawson, Pocahontas, Ark., five bass, 13-14, $905
5th:        Fisher Davis, Mount Ida, Ark., five bass, 13-13, $776
6th:        Brennan Cole, White Hall, Ark., five bass, 13-7, $1,211 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
7th:        Chris Hamilton, Mayflower, Ark., five bass, 13-0, $647
8th:        Quincy Houchin, Mabelvale, Ark., five bass, 12-15, $582
9th:        Chip Hawkins, Little Rock, Ark., five bass, 12-12, $517
10th:     Bryce Boatright, Sheridan, Ark., five bass, 12-8, $453

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Howard’s limit included a bass that weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces, which earned him the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $515.



Jonathan Dotson of Dover, Arkansas, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,902 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 15 pounds, 7 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

1st:        Jonathan Dotson, Dover, Ark., five bass, 15-7, $1,902
2nd:       Derek Dixon, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 12-1, $951
3rd:       Adam O’Connell, Conway, Ark., four bass, 11-14, $886
4th:        Kelly Shamlin Jr., Benton, Ark., five bass, 10-6, $444
5th:        Stephen Simms, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 10-3, $380
6th:        Koby Gooden, North Little Rock, Ark., five bass, 10-0, $349
7th:        Brock Krohne, Belton, Mo., five bass, 9-3, $317
8th:        Alan Bernicky, Joliet, Ill., five bass, 9-1, $535
9th:        Michael Massey, Amity, Ark., five bass, 8-14, $254
10th:     Sam Mitchell, Malvern, Ark., five bass, 8-13, $222

Adam O’Connell of Conway, Arkansas, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $252, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 5 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After three events, Chris Darby of Hot Springs, Arkansas, leads the Fishing Clash Arkie Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 724 points, while Steve Meredith of Jessieville, Arkansas, leads the Fishing Clash Arkie Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 706 points.

The next event for BFL Arkie Division anglers will be held June 8, at Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, Arkansas. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 17-19 BFL Regional tournament on Wright Patman Lake in Texarkana, Texas. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.

The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.

Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota and YETI.

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