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Tuesday, December 16, 2025
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One Angler, One Gun, Zero Chill: A True Fishing Confrontation

Brian Carter
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One Angler, One Gun, Zero Chill: A True Fishing Confrontation

The other day, I was sitting at home when a buddy sent me a shocking screenshot: an angler had pulled a gun on another fisherman out on the water. The incident happened on a local stump-filled lake here in Virginia. One angler was navigating the main channel to avoid submerged stumps when another boater got upset—so upset that he decided to brandish a pistol. Thankfully, the targeted angler sped away, called the Virginia Game and Fisheries (VGAF), and the aggressor was charged and will face his day in court.

What’s most disturbing about this situation is that it wasn’t during a high-stakes tournament or a heated competition—it was just a regular day on the water, where people are supposed to be relaxing and enjoying the sport they love. So, I have to ask: How many times has something like this happened to you? And more importantly, what has happened to fishing?

The Rise of Hostility in Fishing

Fishing has always been a peaceful pastime, a way to escape the chaos of daily life. But lately, it seems like tensions are rising. Whether it’s disputes over fishing spots, boat right-of-way, or just general aggression, the sport isn’t as friendly as it used to be. Social media amplifies these conflicts, with videos of shouting matches and even physical altercations becoming more common.

But pulling a gun? That’s a terrifying escalation. It’s one thing to argue over who was there first or who cut off whom on the water—it’s another to introduce lethal force into the equation.

What Would You Have Done?

The angler in this situation did the right thing: he avoided confrontation, got to safety, and let law enforcement handle it. Even if he had been armed, escalating the situation could have turned deadly. The best move was to disengage and report the threat.

But it makes you think—how would you react? Would you stand your ground? Would you try to defuse the situation? Or would you do exactly what this angler did and remove yourself from danger?

Why the Hate?

It’s hard to say exactly why tempers are flaring more than they used to. Maybe it’s the pressure of social media, where every catch (or lack thereof) is scrutinized. Maybe it’s the increasing number of people on the water, leading to more crowded conditions. Or maybe it’s just a reflection of society’s growing impatience and aggression in general.

Whatever the reason, it’s a sad trend. Fishing should be about camaraderie, respect for nature, and friendly competition—not hostility and violence.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, we all share the water. Disagreements will happen, but they should never turn dangerous. If you find yourself in a tense situation, the best thing you can do is stay calm, walk (or boat) away, and let the authorities handle it.

Fishing is supposed to be fun. Let’s keep it that way.

What do you think? Have you ever encountered aggression on the water? How did you handle it?





Outdoor America’s Broadcast Platform Delivers Unmatched Audience Reach

Brian Carter
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Outdoor America’s Broadcast Platform Delivers Unmatched Audience Reach

Outdoor America’s Broadcast Platform Delivers Unmatched Audience Reach

Q1 results are in, and the clear winner is Outdoor America (OA).

Irving, TX — As the industry’s only broadcast TV platform for outdoor content, OA outperforms any other media option for reach, consistency, and value. Making Outdoor America the definitive choice for endemic brands looking to execute broad reach strategies.

OA delivers compelling weekly outdoor programming to 84 million TV households, 54 million local broadcast television stations, and 20 million via Regional Sports Networks (RSNs). According to Comscore’s audit of just 47 million broadcast TV HHs, OA delivers 150,000 viewing households per single airing—3- 5x more passionate enthusiast viewers than any other outdoor media entity in a comparable time slot.

With programming curated specifically for high-intent outdoor enthusiasts, OA reaches the people who buy gear, tools, apparel, and accessories to fuel their passion. Ratings in key local markets for OA exceed major professional sports offerings.  This audience is primarily concentrated in states like Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas—regions known for high participation in outdoor recreation.

This guaranteed delivery on a single run offers endemic advertisers a fresh and exclusive broadcast TV audience as a scalable and effective platform to reach the largest spending outdoor consumers with a true national footprint. OA’s format allows brands to activate efficient, broad reach strategies with consistency and accountability.

“Outdoor America has proven its ability to deliver unmatched value for both our viewers and partners,” said Jamie Wilkinson, Executive Vice President of Outdoor America. “Our Q1 results reinforce what we’ve known for years: if you want to reach serious outdoor lifestyle consumers at scale, Outdoor America is the only platform that consistently delivers.”

Outdoor America’s audience reach is larger than measured for just Comscore verified 150 thousand local broadcast TVHHs. OA programming is also delivered on RSNs weekly to an additional 20 million households, at no extra cost to charter sponsors. These RSN impressions are not included in the Comscore broadcast metrics, which offer greater brand exposure and added value to audiences that many outdoor producers rely on and trust for programming and sponsor impression commitment delivery.

OA offers charter sponsors flexible quarterly and annual packages, audience extension units on OA’s FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) channel, and additional reach through affiliated digital platforms. This multi-channel distribution strategy ensures brands connect with consumers wherever they watch.

With the most consistent, measurable, and scalable audience in the outdoor media landscape, Outdoor America is the go-to partner for brands ready to expand their national presence and build long-term consumer loyalty.

About Outdoor America

Outdoor America is committed to inspiring Americans to spend more time in our nation’s great outdoors. Outdoor America is designed as the authority for people passionate about outdoor sports and recreation. Delivering compelling content across all connected devices, Outdoor America will engage its audience with relevant and local information, motivating them to embrace their love of the outdoors by recreating in our country’s many public lands and waterways. Outdoor America is available to user through three key environments, including Broadcast TV, Digital Distribution through FAST TV and Streaming, and an Online Marketplace with over 800 brands and 50,000 products for outdoor enthusiasts.





Big bag lifts Marco and Rowlands to victory at Buggs Island

Brian Carter
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Big bag lifts Marco and Rowlands to victory at Buggs Island

The King University team of Jake Rowlands (left) and Trey Marco (right) wins the Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops at Buggs Island with a weight of 38 pounds, 9 ounces.

Photo by Solomon Glenn/B.A.S.S.

May 1, 2025

Big bag lifts Marco and Rowlands to victory at Buggs Island

CollegeSeries_StrikeKing_BPSjm_4C.png

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, Va. —  Often, tournaments are won by anglers fishing within their comfort zone. That wasn’t necessarily the case for the King University duo of Trey Marco and Jake Rowlands at the Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops at Buggs Island.

Using two baits they’ve hardly thrown, Marco and Rowlands won their first College Series event with a two-day total weighing 38 pounds, 9 ounces. The Pennsylvania natives opened the tournament in a tie for eighth place with a limit weighing 17-1 before securing a tournament-best 21-8 on the final day.

“It has been a while since I’ve won a bigger tournament,” Marco said. “This has been a long time coming. We put a lot of hard work into this, and it feels good to be rewarded for it.” 

While neither of them had been to Buggs Island as boaters, Marco fished an event on the massive Roanoke River reservoir as a co-angler a few years prior. 

“I fished the lake twice as a co-angler four years ago, and that was the year I really started bass fishing,” Marco said. “It feels good to come back here and see all of the progress I’ve made over the past few years.”

Emmanuel University’s Will Wester and Jackson Thomas finished second with a two-day mark of 36-3 while Day 1 leaders Easton Drennon and Chase McCarter from Carson-Newman University fell to third with a total of 34-14. 

Marco, a sophomore, and the freshman Rowlands teamed up at the start of the school year but were disappointed with their results during the fall season. The duo worked hard to improve over the winter and spring, with preparation being an important piece of the puzzle. They spent several days on Buggs Island before the off-limits period scanning offshore areas looking for brushpiles. 

When tournament week rolled around, they discovered that brush would not be the key piece of cover and shifted their focus to stumps. 

“We thought shallow brushpiles would be good for postspawners,” Rowlands said. “We ended up finding that the brushpiles were not what they were on, it was stumps. But luckily when you found brushpiles, there were also stumps around.”

The majority of their productive stumps were in 12 feet of water or less, but on the final day they moved deeper and targeted smaller stumps. Most of these targets had two or three bass holding to them, and at times Marco said they had to weed through the smaller fish to get to the quality largemouth.

“It was hard to find an area by yourself. Our biggest key was finding an area that we had to ourselves. We didn’t see another boat the entire tournament. We pretty much made a circle around a three-mile area. We had 50 to 70 stumps marked. It seemed like the bites came in flurries.”  

To trigger their bites, the duo threw a ¾-ounce bucktail jig as well as a Megabass Kanata Jerkbait, neither of which have been used much by Rowlands and Marco in the past. In fact, Rowlands received the jerkbait as a Christmas gift this past December and bought another one after Brandon Palaniuk won the Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee in February. There was only one bucktail jig in the boat, and the hook was admittedly a little rusty.

“I really feel like no one was throwing them and these fish haven’t seen them,” Rowland said. 

After not catching a single keeper to start Day 1 around a shad spawn, Marco and Rowland headed straight to their primary area on the final day. The duo picked up 11 pounds by 11 a.m., but within a 15-minute flurry, the duo upgraded to over 19 pounds. 

“It was one of those things that just seemed meant to be,” Marco said. “The bite you normally don’t get, for whatever reason we got. It was a very short period of time, and we expanded on it a little bit.”

At around 1 p.m., the duo landed their final 4-pounder to put them over the 20-pound mark. While Marco felt good about their chances to win when they landed that bass, Rowlands thought they needed another kicker bite. 

“Trey was saying the whole time that we had a shot at the win if we got to 21,” Rowlands said. “And I was saying we needed more. He was right.”

With the win, Marco and Rowlands qualified for their first Bassmaster College National Championship, which will be held just south of King University on Cherokee Lake in July.

Wester and Thomas utilized a similar gameplan to catch their 18-9 and 17-10 limits. They anchored their final day bag with a 5-4 largemouth. The duo dedicated their top finish to head coach Pam Martin-Wells, who passed away in April from cancer.

“It felt great being able to do this for her,” Wester said. 

The week started with a blown motor, but in the process of trolling back to the ramp, the Emmanuel duo discovered the bass in the area were hovering around brushpiles. 

With a new boat brought up from Georgia, they expanded on their pattern before making the transition to stumps in 6 to 8 feet of water, although they did catch a quality keeper off a stump in 30 feet of water. A ⅜-ounce brown and purple jig produced the majority of their stump bites while a 5/16-ounce Buckeye Lures G-Stroll jighead paired with a Strike King Z-Too minnow was better around the brush, especially if the bass were floating above the brush. 

“Our better bites came around midday with the jig,” Wester, a sophomore, said. 

With a limit of 10 pounds to start the day, Wester and Thomas slowly culled up throughout the day. Their kicker bite came around mid-morning.

“About 10 o’clock we had 13 pounds, and I leaned into that 5-4, which helped big time,” Thomas, a freshman, said. “We had our weight by 1 and we kept catching 2-pounders from then on.” 

Wester and Thomas split Big Bass of the Tournament honors with the Erskine College duo of Rylan Green and Luke McGuffin, who also landed a 5-4 on the final day of competition. 

The Top 20 teams qualified for the aforementioned Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at Cherokee Lake scheduled for July 10-12. All teams earned points towards the Lunkers Trail points race. The Lunkers Trail will conclude at Chickamauga Lake May 30-31. 

2025 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Buggs Island presented by Bass Pro Shops 4/30-5/1
Buggs Island Reservoir, Mecklenburg  VA.
Standings Day 2

    Team                                       Club/School                       Pts

1.  Trey Marco – Jake Rowlands                   King University                     250
  Day 1: 5   17-01     Day 2: 5   21-08   Total:  10  38-09
2.  Will Wester – Jackson Thomas                 Emmanuel College                    249
  Day 1: 5   18-09     Day 2: 5   17-10   Total:  10  36-03
3.  Easton Drennon – Chase McCarter              Carson-Newman University            248
  Day 1: 5   20-05     Day 2: 5   14-09   Total:  10  34-14
4.  Lucas Washburn – Braylon Eggerding           Adrian College                      247
  Day 1: 5   18-09     Day 2: 5   14-15   Total:  10  33-08
5.  Brennan Berglund – Colton White              University of Montevallo            246
  Day 1: 5   17-01     Day 2: 5   16-05   Total:  10  33-06
6.  Nathan Reynolds – Jake Brown                 University of North Alabama         245
  Day 1: 5   20-02     Day 2: 5   13-01   Total:  10  33-03
7.  Storm Clark – Elisha Colley                  University of Montevallo            244
  Day 1: 5   15-09     Day 2: 5   17-09   Total:  10  33-02
8.  Brody Robison – Peyton Sorrow                University of Montevallo            243
  Day 1: 5   17-13     Day 2: 5   15-02   Total:  10  32-15
9.  Colton Boelkes – Joshua Hayes                University of North Alabama         242
  Day 1: 5   17-12     Day 2: 5   15-03   Total:  10  32-15
10. Scooter Ligon Jr – Levi Seagraves            Emmanuel College                    241
  Day 1: 5   16-12     Day 2: 5   15-09   Total:  10  32-05
11. Bryce Dimauro – Tripp Berlinsky              University of North Alabama         240
  Day 1: 5   15-12     Day 2: 5   16-06   Total:  10  32-02
12. Matt Boerboom – Jacob Swanson                University of Montevallo            239
  Day 1: 5   16-02     Day 2: 5   15-14   Total:  10  32-00
13. Bryson Dotson – Hayden Peck                  Tennessee Wesleyan University       238
  Day 1: 5   16-02     Day 2: 5   15-12   Total:  10  31-14
14. Matthew Massey – Matthew Gunn                Erskine College                     237
  Day 1: 5   18-05     Day 2: 5   12-13   Total:  10  31-02
15. Chris Baker – Elijah Kelley                  Kentucky Christian University       236
  Day 1: 5   14-14     Day 2: 5   15-12   Total:  10  30-10
16. Zachary Helton – Blake Wheat                 Carson-Newman University            235
  Day 1: 5   14-15     Day 2: 5   15-05   Total:  10  30-04
17. Peyton Harris – Dalton Head                  University of Montevallo            234
  Day 1: 5   16-03     Day 2: 5   14-00   Total:  10  30-03
18. Chandler Howell – Clayton Ellis              Blue Mountain Christian Universi    233
  Day 1: 5   15-02     Day 2: 5   14-12   Total:  10  29-14
19. Cole Moulton – Jared Hubbard                 Lander University                   232
  Day 1: 5   12-06     Day 2: 5   17-07   Total:  10  29-13
20. Anderson Jones –                             Lander University                   231
  Day 1: 5   14-10     Day 2: 5   14-14   Total:  10  29-08
21. Cason Price – Joe Vaulton                    Carson-Newman University            230
  Day 1: 5   16-01     Day 2: 5   13-05   Total:  10  29-06
22. Nick Dumke – Connor Bell                     University of Montevallo            229
  Day 1: 5   15-12     Day 2: 5   13-06   Total:  10  29-02
23. Brayden Ruckman – Zachary Wolfe              Carson-Newman University            228
  Day 1: 5   13-06     Day 2: 5   15-12   Total:  10  29-02
24. Kaden Buchmann – Chase Wodzinski             Lander University                   227
  Day 1: 5   13-14     Day 2: 5   15-01   Total:  10  28-15
25. Carson Winn – Ethan Tedder                   University of North Alabama         226
  Day 1: 5   13-05     Day 2: 5   15-09   Total:  10  28-14
26. Bryce Mcdonald – Ethan Elliott               University of Pikeville             225
  Day 1: 5   15-06     Day 2: 5   13-08   Total:  10  28-14
27. Calup Williams – Hunter King                 Blue Mountain Christian Universi    224
  Day 1: 5   13-06     Day 2: 5   15-07   Total:  10  28-13
28. Daylon Milam – James Dubose                  University of Montevallo            223
  Day 1: 5   15-11     Day 2: 5   13-00   Total:  10  28-11
29. Drake Sturgill – Hudson Choquette            University of Montevallo            222
  Day 1: 5   16-12     Day 2: 5   11-13   Total:  10  28-09
30. Tyler Thompson – Emery Burnett               Georgia Southern University         221
  Day 1: 5   12-06     Day 2: 5   16-01   Total:  10  28-07
31. Paxton Giem – Nick Seitz                     Adrian College                      220
  Day 1: 5   13-07     Day 2: 5   15-00   Total:  10  28-07
32. Jake Krauth – Jack Mcillwain                 University of North Alabama         219
  Day 1: 5   14-01     Day 2: 5   14-04   Total:  10  28-05
33. Szymon Piton – Riley Faulkner                Carson-Newman University            218
  Day 1: 5   15-01     Day 2: 5   13-02   Total:  10  28-03
34. Lane Clark – Tallis Morrison                 Erskine College                     217
  Day 1: 5   14-04     Day 2: 5   13-15   Total:  10  28-03
35. Rylan Green – Luke McGuffin                  Erskine College                     216
  Day 1: 5   10-04     Day 2: 5   17-14   Total:  10  28-02
36. Logan Hendrick – Jake Brown                  Lenoir Rhyne University             215
  Day 1: 5   13-14     Day 2: 5   13-15   Total:  10  27-13
37. Nicholas DellaPorta – Drew Pitts             Carson-Newman University            214
  Day 1: 5   15-01     Day 2: 5   12-11   Total:  10  27-12
38. Joe Lutz – Jake Monti                        UNC – Charlotte                     213
  Day 1: 5   13-10     Day 2: 5   14-01   Total:  10  27-11
39. Jon Foster – Lawton Williams                 Erskine College                     212
  Day 1: 5   13-04     Day 2: 5   14-05   Total:  10  27-09
40. Cameron Dials – Ethan Burnette               Kentucky Christian University       211
  Day 1: 5   13-12     Day 2: 5   13-13   Total:  10  27-09
41. Jackson Mitchell – Carson Palmer             Carson – Newman University          210
  Day 1: 5   13-03     Day 2: 5   14-05   Total:  10  27-08
42. Tomas Matual – Zach Widelski                 McKendree University                209
  Day 1: 5   13-04     Day 2: 5   14-04   Total:  10  27-08
43. Hunter Keller – Wes Smith II                 Catawba Valley Community College    208
  Day 1: 5   11-07     Day 2: 5   15-14   Total:  10  27-05
44. Austin Marley – Jack Richardson              Georgia Southern University         207
  Day 1: 5   14-05     Day 2: 5   12-15   Total:  10  27-04
45. Colby Reece – Alex Gore                      Carson-Newman University            206
  Day 1: 5   14-06     Day 2: 5   12-12   Total:  10  27-02
46. Andrew Blanton – Garrett Smith               Lander University                   205
  Day 1: 5   13-04     Day 2: 5   13-12   Total:  10  27-00
47. Blake Bullock – John Mark Berry              Blue Mountain Christian Universi    204
  Day 1: 5   13-13     Day 2: 5   13-01   Total:  10  26-14
48. Will Hammond – Parker Lambert                Lander University                   203
  Day 1: 5   10-12     Day 2: 5   15-15   Total:  10  26-11
49. Storm Cline – Gabe Fishlock                  Carson-Newman University            202
  Day 1: 5   15-04     Day 2: 5   11-06   Total:  10  26-10
50. Brooks Parker – Briggs Alavezos              University of Montevallo            201
  Day 1: 5   12-11     Day 2: 5   13-13   Total:  10  26-08
51. Trace Antunes III – Garrett Ring             University of Montevallo            200
  Day 1: 5   13-15     Day 2: 5   12-08   Total:  10  26-07
52. Blair Erickson – Jackson Pontius             University of Montevallo            199
  Day 1: 5   13-08     Day 2: 5   12-15   Total:  10  26-07
53. Brady Pinwar – Cole Carr                     Adrian College                      198
  Day 1: 5   14-06     Day 2: 5   12-00   Total:  10  26-06
54. Chan Barber II – Jake Kester                 NC State University                 197
  Day 1: 5   14-00     Day 2: 5   12-06   Total:  10  26-06
55. Matthew Strickland – Eli Ward                University of Pikeville             196
  Day 1: 5   16-00     Day 2: 5   10-01   Total:  10  26-01
56. Will Rooker – Ben Brockwell                  Kentucky Christian University       195
  Day 1: 5   12-00     Day 2: 5   13-15   Total:  10  25-15
57. Drake Hemby – Ewing Minor                    Carson-Newman University            194
  Day 1: 5   13-14     Day 2: 5   11-15   Total:  10  25-13
58. Hayden Williams – Luke Garofalo              University of South Carolina – U    193
  Day 1: 5   13-15     Day 2: 5   11-12   Total:  10  25-11
59. Wyatt Wood – Wyatt Ford                      University of Montevallo            192
  Day 1: 5   13-05     Day 2: 5   12-06   Total:  10  25-11
60. Jeremy Monda – Will Boyd Jr                  Florida Gateway College             191
  Day 1: 5   13-09     Day 2: 5   12-00   Total:  10  25-09
61. Derek Rodriguez Jr. – Gavyn Rapp             Adrian College                      190
  Day 1: 5   15-07     Day 2: 5   10-00   Total:  10  25-07
62. Turner Hart – Summer Dees                    Bryan College                       189
  Day 1: 5   14-08     Day 2: 5   10-15   Total:  10  25-07
63. Hunter Slone – Cole Petroff                  Tennessee Tech University           188
  Day 1: 5   13-00     Day 2: 5   12-07   Total:  10  25-07
64. Bryson Holderness – Isaac Greene             University of South Carolina – U    187
  Day 1: 5   10-11     Day 2: 5   14-11   Total:  10  25-06
65. Will Hart – Logan Fisher                     Emmanuel College                    186
  Day 1: 5   14-07     Day 2: 5   10-15   Total:  10  25-06
66. Hunter Barrow – Kanton Trull                 Catawba Valley Community College    185
  Day 1: 5   13-06     Day 2: 5   12-00   Total:  10  25-06
67. Brian Haire – Fischer Barber                 Troy University                     184
  Day 1: 5   12-05     Day 2: 5   13-01   Total:  10  25-06
68. Hank Sturm – Matt Mosby                      Adrian College                      183
  Day 1: 5   09-15     Day 2: 5   15-05   Total:  10  25-04
69. Max Hondorp – Ridge Faircloth                Troy University                     182
  Day 1: 5   11-02     Day 2: 5   14-02   Total:  10  25-04
70. Garrett Christy – Corban Chenevey            Catawba Valley Community College    181
  Day 1: 5   11-08     Day 2: 5   13-11   Total:  10  25-03
71. Peyton Dunn – Michael Avery                  Emmanuel College                    180
  Day 1: 5   14-15     Day 2: 5   10-02   Total:  10  25-01
72. Tanner Wassilchalk – Mason Kerr              West Virginia University            179
  Day 1: 4   11-04     Day 2: 5   13-13   Total:   9  25-01
73. Nolan Gray – Riley Brown                     Carson-Newman University            178
  Day 1: 5   13-02     Day 2: 5   11-14   Total:  10  25-00
74. Hunter Starling – Emory Jackson              Georgia Southern University         177
  Day 1: 5   11-15     Day 2: 5   13-01   Total:  10  25-00
75. Cody Abbott – Trenton Carey                  Lander University                   176
  Day 1: 5   14-00     Day 2: 5   10-15   Total:  10  24-15
76. Brandon Berry – Hunter Bright                University of Montevallo            175
  Day 1: 5   11-11     Day 2: 5   13-04   Total:  10  24-15
77. Mason Bohland – Brady Metzger                Purdue University                   174
  Day 1: 5   12-02     Day 2: 5   12-13   Total:  10  24-15
78. Dylan May – Will Shepherd                    Carson-Newman University            173
  Day 1: 5   10-08     Day 2: 5   14-04   Total:  10  24-12
79. Cole Hunter – Joseph Bontrager               University of South Carolina – U    172
  Day 1: 5   10-15     Day 2: 5   13-08   Total:  10  24-07
80. Palmer Parrish –                             Clemson University                  171
  Day 1: 5   12-05     Day 2: 5   12-02   Total:  10  24-07
81. Joe Shamblin – William Griffith              University of Pikeville             170
  Day 1: 5   14-09     Day 2: 5   09-12   Total:  10  24-05
82. Hampton Shull – Landon Surrett               Lander University                   169
  Day 1: 5   13-08     Day 2: 5   10-12   Total:  10  24-04
83. Mason Kornegay – Miller Dowling              University of Montevallo            168
  Day 1: 5   11-14     Day 2: 5   12-05   Total:  10  24-03
84. Kaleb Butts – Landon Bannister               University of South Carolina – U    167
  Day 1: 5   14-02     Day 2: 5   10-00   Total:  10  24-02
85. Fisher Heard – Hunter Brewer                 University of North Alabama         166
  Day 1: 5   10-07     Day 2: 5   13-10   Total:  10  24-01
86. Matt Brault – Dylan Mclaughlin               Erskine College                     165
  Day 1: 5   10-10     Day 2: 5   13-07   Total:  10  24-01
87. Will Hadley – Blayne Leeman                  Kentucky Christian University       164
  Day 1: 5   09-10     Day 2: 5   14-06   Total:  10  24-00
88. Brycen Williamson –                          Erskine College                     163
  Day 1: 5   13-06     Day 2: 5   10-08   Total:  10  23-14
89. Dalton DeFelice – Evan Ludlow                University of Montevallo            162
  Day 1: 5   12-04     Day 2: 5   11-10   Total:  10  23-14
90. Brayden Batchelor – Quinn Williams           Georgia Southern University         161
  Day 1: 5   14-02     Day 2: 5   09-11   Total:  10  23-13
91. Caden Gettys – Tyler Eggers                  Catawba Valley Community College    160
  Day 1: 5   12-03     Day 2: 5   11-09   Total:  10  23-12
92. Jerry Brumbaugh Jr. – Quade Lobo             Adrian College                      159
  Day 1: 5   10-07     Day 2: 5   13-04   Total:  10  23-11
93. Drew Kuhnle – Landon Rollison                Lander University                   158
  Day 1: 5   11-11     Day 2: 5   12-00   Total:  10  23-11
94. Zion Dunaway – Andrew Krintz                 Purdue University                   157
  Day 1: 5   10-09     Day 2: 5   12-15   Total:  10  23-08
95. Hunter Kellogg – Owen Klein                  Ohio State University               156
  Day 1: 5   12-02     Day 2: 5   11-06   Total:  10  23-08
96. Dustin Weinberg – Cade McBride               Blue Mountain Christian Universi    155
  Day 1: 5   11-01     Day 2: 5   12-05   Total:  10  23-06
97. Chandler Pruett – Steven Deschene            Blue Mountain Christian Universi    154
  Day 1: 5   12-06     Day 2: 5   10-15   Total:  10  23-05
98. James Lamberth – Jaxon Leverette             Troy University                     153
  Day 1: 5   15-03     Day 2: 5   08-00   Total:  10  23-03
99. Bryce Balentine – Connor Koch                Florida Gateway College             152
  Day 1: 5   10-13     Day 2: 5   12-04   Total:  10  23-01
100. Finn Maher – Jake Buzin                      University of South Carolina        151
  Day 1: 5   10-03     Day 2: 5   12-13   Total:  10  23-00
101. Robert Miller – Levi Bolton                  Emmanuel College                    150
  Day 1: 5   11-02     Day 2: 5   11-13   Total:  10  22-15
102. Jackson Rentschler – Tyler Gross             Purdue University                   149
  Day 1: 5   11-06     Day 2: 5   11-08   Total:  10  22-14
103. Kyle Smith – Jacob Highley                   Kentucky Christian University       148
  Day 1: 5   10-00     Day 2: 5   12-13   Total:  10  22-13
104. Branton Champion – Cole Guck                 Emmanuel College                    147
  Day 1: 5   10-07     Day 2: 5   12-05   Total:  10  22-12
105. Carrson Sizemore – Dalton Blakley            University of Pikeville             146
  Day 1: 5   10-15     Day 2: 5   11-11   Total:  10  22-10
106. Hunter Townsend – Jon Wehner Jr              James Madison University            145
  Day 1: 5   09-11     Day 2: 5   12-14   Total:  10  22-09
107. Nick Hawkins – Dillan Mcglothern             South Eastern University            144
  Day 1: 5   12-09     Day 2: 5   10-00   Total:  10  22-09
108. Lawson Blake – Garrett Simon                 Marshall University                 143
  Day 1: 5   12-02     Day 2: 5   10-07   Total:  10  22-09
109. Will Kimbrough – Mac Nail                    Georgia Southern University         142
  Day 1: 5   12-12     Day 2: 5   09-12   Total:  10  22-08
110. Nick Schaefer – Cameron Gates                University of Pikeville             141
  Day 1: 5   11-10     Day 2: 5   10-14   Total:  10  22-08
111. Ethan Hospedales –                           UNC – Charlotte                     140
  Day 1: 5   12-09     Day 2: 5   09-14   Total:  10  22-07
112. Harrison McCall –                            Lander University                   139
  Day 1: 5   12-09     Day 2: 5   09-13   Total:  10  22-06
113. Gavin Sheffer – Logan Birth                  Liberty University                  138
  Day 1: 5   12-10     Day 2: 3   09-11   Total:   8  22-05
114. Kaden Raichel – Luke Davis                   University of Montevallo            137
  Day 1: 5   11-12     Day 2: 5   10-08   Total:  10  22-04
115. Cameron Chapman – Dyson Lewis                Catawba Valley Community College    136
  Day 1: 5   12-09     Day 2: 5   09-07   Total:  10  22-00
116. Preston Kolisek – Smith McGregor             University of North Alabama         135
  Day 1: 5   10-15     Day 2: 5   11-01   Total:  10  22-00
117. Brendon Brones – Porter Welch                Lamar State College Orange          134
  Day 1: 5   11-14     Day 2: 5   10-00   Total:  10  21-14
118. Wyatt Gabehart – Riley Hendricks             Lander University                   133
  Day 1: 5   10-07     Day 2: 5   11-07   Total:  10  21-14
119. Ethan Vue – Christian Vue                    UNC – Charlotte                     132
  Day 1: 5   12-10     Day 2: 5   09-02   Total:  10  21-12
120. Colin Cooper – Cory Mitchell                 Liberty University                  131
  Day 1: 5   11-11     Day 2: 5   09-15   Total:  10  21-10
121. Alex Geroulis – William Brogan               Indiana University                  130
  Day 1: 5   10-05     Day 2: 5   11-05   Total:  10  21-10
122. Mitch Straffon – Owen Januszewski            Adrian College                      129
  Day 1: 5   12-06     Day 2: 5   09-02   Total:  10  21-08
123. Grant Rice – Blake Marcum                    Morehead State University           128
  Day 1: 5   11-12     Day 2: 5   09-12   Total:  10  21-08
124. Leo Romano – Miller Kieran                   James Madison University            127
  Day 1: 5   10-08     Day 2: 5   11-00   Total:  10  21-08
125. Bryson Hatcher – Jake Lovingood              Bryan College                       126
  Day 1: 5   10-10     Day 2: 5   10-12   Total:  10  21-06
126. JD Sewell – Holden Hatcher                   Lamar State College Orange          125
  Day 1: 5   09-10     Day 2: 5   11-10   Total:  10  21-04
127. Robie Vines Jr – Colby Bryan                 Catawba Valley Community College    124
  Day 1: 5   09-12     Day 2: 5   11-08   Total:  10  21-04
128. Caleb Dugger – Kolby Gambrel                 King University                     123
  Day 1: 5   11-12     Day 2: 4   09-07   Total:   9  21-03
129. Kasen Pemberton – Avery Padgett              Troy University                     122
  Day 1: 5   12-07     Day 2: 4   08-11   Total:   9  21-02
130. Nick Owens – Noah Varitek                    Adrian College                      121
  Day 1: 5   09-15     Day 2: 5   11-03   Total:  10  21-02
131. Reece Keeney – Brantley Anders               Kentucky Christian University       120
  Day 1: 5   08-09     Day 2: 5   12-08   Total:  10  21-01
132. Carter Burdette – Brayden Jordan             Troy University                     119
  Day 1: 5   12-10     Day 2: 4   08-04   Total:   9  20-14
133. Asa Putnam – Brett Mouw                      University of Montevallo            118
  Day 1: 5   11-10     Day 2: 5   09-03   Total:  10  20-13
134. Dylan Mcgee – Hayden Short                   Kentucky Christian University       117
  Day 1: 5   10-02     Day 2: 5   10-11   Total:  10  20-13
135. Joey Meadows – Caleb Edwards                 Emmanuel College                    116
  Day 1: 5   09-00     Day 2: 5   11-11   Total:  10  20-11
136. Chase Rogers – Bryson Holland                University of South Carolina – U    115
  Day 1: 5   10-15     Day 2: 5   09-11   Total:  10  20-10
137. Gabe Hannon –                                LSU                                 114
  Day 1: 5   10-06     Day 2: 5   10-04   Total:  10  20-10
138. Jacob Vanscoik – Robert Richbourg            Catawba Valley Community College    113
  Day 1: 5   11-04     Day 2: 5   09-04   Total:  10  20-08
139. Chase Loftus – Caden Petrille                University of Iowa                  112
  Day 1: 5   10-12     Day 2: 5   09-12   Total:  10  20-08
140. Matthew Mitchell – Butler Cochran            University of South Carolina        111
  Day 1: 5   08-08     Day 2: 5   11-14   Total:  10  20-06
141. Logan Howarter – Mason Lyons                 Kentucky Christian University       110
  Day 1: 5   11-03     Day 2: 5   09-02   Total:  10  20-05
142. Will Holloway – Nick Pemberton               University of Montevallo            109
  Day 1: 5   09-03     Day 2: 5   10-15   Total:  10  20-02
143. Carson Aarup – Ryan Auchmoody                UNC – Charlotte                     108
  Day 1: 5   11-03     Day 2: 5   08-14   Total:  10  20-01
143. Alexander Blanchard – Connor Hebert          LSU                                 108
  Day 1: 5   08-14     Day 2: 5   11-03   Total:  10  20-01
145. Seth Shuler – Nicholas Giompalo              University of Pikeville             106
  Day 1: 5   10-00     Day 2: 5   09-14   Total:  10  19-14
146. Lyndon Gaddy – Daniel Ridenour               East Tennessee State University     105
  Day 1: 5   08-08     Day 2: 5   11-05   Total:  10  19-13
147. Thomas Phillips – James Riegert              Ohio State University               104
  Day 1: 5   11-12     Day 2: 4   08-00   Total:   9  19-12
148. Mitch Johnson – Joe Bob Burchett             Kentucky Christian University       103
  Day 1: 5   09-04     Day 2: 5   10-04   Total:  10  19-08
149. Cody Wyatt – Fletcher Allen                  UNC – Charlotte                     102
  Day 1: 5   08-12     Day 2: 5   10-08   Total:  10  19-04
150. Matthew Norton – Ian Schroeder               UNC – Charlotte                     101
  Day 1: 5   08-09     Day 2: 5   10-09   Total:  10  19-02
151. Phillip Herring – Parker O’Bryan             University of Montevallo            100
  Day 1: 5   08-14     Day 2: 5   10-04   Total:  10  19-02
152. John James Coco – JD Farage                  LSU                                  99
  Day 1: 5   10-01     Day 2: 5   09-00   Total:  10  19-01
153. Fisher Rodgers – Loren Oliver                University Of South Carolina         98
  Day 1: 5   09-02     Day 2: 5   09-11   Total:  10  18-13
154. Beau Landry – Peyton Matherne                LSU                                  97
  Day 1: 5   09-06     Day 2: 5   09-07   Total:  10  18-13
155. Owen Barker – Carter Jerdon                  Ohio State University                96
  Day 1: 5   07-13     Day 2: 5   10-14   Total:  10  18-11
156. Carson Holbrook – Silas Jones                University of Pikeville              95
  Day 1: 5   09-07     Day 2: 5   09-03   Total:  10  18-10
157. Thomas Osa – Kole Costello                   High Point University                94
  Day 1: 5   12-01     Day 2: 3   06-07   Total:   8  18-08
158. Austin Paulus – Landen Paulus                Ohio State University                93
  Day 1: 5   10-00     Day 2: 5   08-05   Total:  10  18-05
159. Colin McGough – Jeremy Etter                 Virginia Tech University             92
  Day 1: 5   11-02     Day 2: 4   07-02   Total:   9  18-04
160. Brendan Vinton – Grant Harris                Cvcc Redhawks                        91
  Day 1: 5   13-15     Day 2: 3   04-04   Total:   8  18-03
161. Cole Mitchell – Hayden Mare                  High Point University                90
  Day 1: 4   07-13     Day 2: 5   10-06   Total:   9  18-03
162. Charlie Moomau – Matthew Delaney             West Virginia University             89
  Day 1: 5   12-02     Day 2: 3   05-07   Total:   8  17-09
163. Cohen Cravey – Maxwell Johnson               Brewton-Parker College               88
  Day 1: 4   07-08     Day 2: 5   09-13   Total:   9  17-05
164. Dawson Woerner – Wyatt Cash                  Purdue University                    87
  Day 1: 5   11-04     Day 2: 3   06-00   Total:   8  17-04
165. Connor Westerman – Michael Mcnulty           West Virginia University             86
  Day 1: 4   08-01     Day 2: 5   09-02   Total:   9  17-03
166. Scotty Hagan – Will Copley                   University of Pikeville              85
  Day 1: 5   08-00     Day 2: 5   08-12   Total:  10  16-12
167. Ryder Krueger – Mason Laurin                 Troy University                      84
  Day 1: 4   05-14     Day 2: 5   10-06   Total:   9  16-04
168. Spencer Knight – Colton Cybulski             Ohio State University                83
  Day 1: 5   12-04     Day 2: 2   03-13   Total:   7  16-01
169. Chase Hubble –                               University of Florida                82
  Day 1: 5   08-09     Day 2: 4   07-08   Total:   9  16-01
170. Thomas Smith – Tyler Michael                 University of South Carolina – U     81
  Day 1: 3   06-01     Day 2: 5   09-03   Total:   8  15-04
171. Max Pierlott – Mike Pierlott                 UNC – Charlotte                      80
  Day 1: 5   09-10     Day 2: 3   05-09   Total:   8  15-03
172. Ryan Thomas – Nate Harper                    University of Pikeville              79
  Day 1: 5   10-04     Day 2: 3   04-11   Total:   8  14-15
173. Kyle Zainitzer – Hayden Alexander            University of North Alabama          78
  Day 1: 5   09-02     Day 2: 5   05-06   Total:  10  14-08
174. Bryson Gurley – Ethan Evatt                  University of South Carolina – U     77
  Day 1: 3   05-13     Day 2: 5   08-10   Total:   8  14-07
175. Emerson Petty – Jaxon Humphrey               Tennessee Wesleyan University        76
  Day 1: 5   10-02     Day 2: 2   03-15   Total:   7  14-01
176. Branson James – Hunter Musick                East Tennessee State University      75
  Day 1: 3   04-06     Day 2: 5   09-11   Total:   8  14-01
177. Makenzie Irwin – Nicholas Palazzo            King University                      74
  Day 1: 5   09-15     Day 2: 2   04-01   Total:   7  14-00
178. Dylan Reid – Jaxson Smoak                    Georgia Southern University          73
  Day 1: 5   11-02     Day 2: 2   02-07   Total:   7  13-09
179. Conner Nichols – Nathanael Eubank            East Tennessee State University      72
  Day 1: 5   07-09     Day 2: 3   05-14   Total:   8  13-07
180. Kenneth Vicchio – Devon Blevins              East Tennessee State University      71
  Day 1: 1   00-09     Day 2: 5   12-03   Total:   6  12-12
181. Caleb Baynes – Konnor Sweet                  Liberty University                   70
  Day 1: 5   08-01     Day 2: 2   04-04   Total:   7  12-05
182. Wes Newman Jr. –                             Liberty University                   69
  Day 1: 1   01-07     Day 2: 5   10-11   Total:   6  12-02
183. Sawyer Brady – TJ Edwards Jr                 Blue Mountain Christian Universi     68
  Day 1: 5   11-01     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   5  11-01
184. Aiden Reid – Isaac Patrick                   Catawba Valley Community College     67
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 5   10-00   Total:   5  10-00
185. MJ Lutz Jr – CJ Chavous Jr.                  University of South Carolina – U     66
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 5   09-06   Total:   5  09-06
186. Dane Leopold – Chris Veitch                  Coastal Carolina University          65
  Day 1: 5   09-02     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   5  09-02
187. Tanner Herndon – Caleb Griffin               Bryan College                        64
  Day 1: 3   05-00     Day 2: 2   04-02   Total:   5  09-02
188. Andrew Oswalt – Evan Mabrey                  University of Montevallo             63
  Day 1: 5   08-05     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   5  08-05
189. Garrett Tucker – Tyler Randolph              West Virginia University             62
  Day 1: 3   05-11     Day 2: 1   00-03   Total:   4  05-14
190. Braydon Southerland – Conner Busby           Tennessee Tech University            61
  Day 1: 2   03-09     Day 2: 1   02-00   Total:   3  05-09
191. Fisher Carver – Hunter Richie                Brewton-Parker College               60
  Day 1: 3   05-05     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   3  05-05
192. Landon Brown – JD Rose                       Morehead State University            59
  Day 1: 3   05-04     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   3  05-04
193. Cole Bedard – Jackson Plyler                 NC State University                  58
  Day 1: 3   05-02     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   3  05-02
194. Trey Martinez – Maddux Moore                 Sportsman Fishing Club At Lsu        57
  Day 1: 2   03-04     Day 2: 1   01-10   Total:   3  04-14
195. Haden James – Daniel Litwin                                                       56
  Day 1: 2   03-09     Day 2: 1   00-00   Total:   3  03-09
196. Noah Strand – Max Trenz                      UNC – Chapel Hill                    55
  Day 1: 5   01-12     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   5  01-12
197. Alan Ter Molen – Luke Rosebrook              Grace College                        54
  Day 1: 1   01-07     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   1  01-07
198. Kayden Crosier – Gavin Warholic              Kent State University                 0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
198. Aaron McGill – Trey Woliver                  University of Tennessee               0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
198. Kyle Werbeck – Joseph Phillips               Kent State University                 0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
———————————————————————–
BIG BASS OF TOURN
     Rylan Green              Campobello, SC      05-04          $0.00
     Will Wester              Royston, GA         05-04          $0.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1       176       933      2265-11
 2       165       889      2139-05
———————————-
         341      1822      4405-00





Justin Lucas Jumps to Early Lead at MLF Bass Pro Tour O’Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 at Lake Chickamauga

Brian Carter
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Justin Lucas Jumps to Early Lead at MLF Bass Pro Tour O’Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 at Lake Chickamauga

Alabama pro catches 25 largemouth weighing 64-3 to lead after Day 1 on Lake Chickamauga, full field to complete Qualifying Round Friday

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (May 1, 2025) – Pre-tournament chatter suggested a diverse event would be on tap at O’Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 Presented by OPTIMA Batteries , and Day 1 delivered. With the field fishing famed Lake Chickamauga for the first of two days Thursday, a wide range of patterns yielded fish. Cloudy skies made for a strong morning shad spawn bite, then some anglers found schools of fish on offshore ledges, while others targeted shallow cover for spawners and fry-guarders and still others caught smallmouth in the tailrace beneath Watts Bar Dam.

Justin Lucas pieced together the best day of the bunch. The Guntersville, Alabama pro got off to a strong start fishing offshore, then moved shallow and targeted bass on beds in Period 3. That produced a total of 64 pounds, 3 ounces on 25 scorable bass, which has him 5-6 ahead of Waco, Texas, pro Alton Jones Jr. in second. Blaine, Tennessee, pro Ott DeFoe, the only other angler to top 50 pounds, rounds out the top three with 55-15.

Link to Photo Gallery of Day 1 On-the-Water Highlights
Link to HD Video of Highlights from Day 1 Competition

With the first two days of Stage 4 taking place on Chickamauga before the field relocates to Nickajack Lake for the Knockout and Championship Rounds, the field got three days of official practice rather than its usual two. Lucas spent most of it on Chick, and yet he still didn’t expect such a strong Day 1 performance.

“Today was fun,” Lucas said. “I can’t believe I caught 25 fish. I didn’t have that many bites in all of practice.” 

The big day came at a good time for Lucas, and not just because Thursday marked his 39th birthday. The last time he took the water in competition – at REDCREST on Lake Guntersville, where he’s lived for the past 15 years – he failed to make the Knockout Round and finished 34th. That left a sour taste in his mouth, so seeing his game plan work to perfection provided a welcome jolt of confidence.

“I expected to catch them (at Guntersville), and when you don’t, it definitely takes a little wind out of your sails,” Lucas said. “It feels really good to catch them here.”

Recognizing Chickamauga’s bass were scattered between different phases of the spawn, and in different depth ranges, Lucas centered his strategy on finding an area of the lake where he could catch fish both offshore and around the bank. He started his day plying offshore ledges with the one-two punch of a Neko-rigged Berkley PowerBait MaxScent magnum Hit Worm and a deep-diving crankbait.

As is typical of postspawn ledge fishing, Lucas often got bites in bunches. His best flurry saw him stack nine bass for nearly 23 pounds on SCORETRACKER® in the final 36 minutes of Period 1. In all, he totaled more than 50 pounds fishing offshore.

“I really didn’t catch but probably two fish using (forward-facing sonar),” Lucas noted. “Just more traditional ledge fishing.”

Lucas then switched gears, spending the final period sight-fishing for shallow spawners. He added four more scorable bass for 13-1, most of them eating a wacky-rigged Berkley PowerBait MaxScent The General. He plans to employ a similar program on Day 2, although he’s not sure he can catch another 60 pounds.

“I think the bite is going to be tougher tomorrow,” he said. “I don’t know if I can catch that much weight. But depending on how well some of my deep spots reload, we’ll see.”

If Lucas can maintain the top spot at the end of Friday’s action, he’ll earn an automatic berth to Sunday’s Championship Round. Shortly after lines out Thursday, he remained torn on whether that would be a sound strategy.

On one hand, it’s hard to pass up a guaranteed spot in the Top 10, and there’s no reason to practice or save fish on Day 2 since that will be the field’s final day on Chickamauga. On the other, he (like much of the field) has little experience on Nickajack, so he thinks the best path to hoisting his second career Bass Pro Tour trophy would be to compete in the Knockout Round and hopefully find the winning pattern.

“Obviously, I would take a guaranteed Top 10 anytime,” Lucas said. “But I feel like this one, being that I don’t know Nickajack at all, it would probably benefit me more to make the Knockout Round and fish there and try and figure something out. I think it’s going to be an advantage to the guys that make the Knockout Round.

“I’ll probably try to (win). But I don’t know if it’s a good idea. But I do like Top 10s.”

Like Lucas, Jones pieced together two patterns, both fishing for bedding bass and postspawners offshore. However, he didn’t worry about staying in the same area of the lake.

Jones said he ran a total of 96 miles on the day. He also estimated he caught at least one fish on 10 different baits, illustrating just how spread out the fish are on Chickamauga.

“I never caught one on a big crankbait today, and I never caught one on a swimbait, but I think every other rod on my deck got some action today,” Jones said.

Jones started his day running a few different offshore spots where he targeted postspawn schools.

“I think your chances of catching a quality bass are better offshore if you don’t have forward-facing sonar, and for two-thirds of the day, we can’t,” he explained.

He used the latter part of Period 2 to make a long run to a different area of the lake, making sure he’d have all of Period 3 to maximize his time with forward-facing sonar. Jones used the technology to target fish that were spawning and guarding fry away from the bank. He put together one of the best forward-facing sonar periods of any angler, totaling an even 22 pounds on eight bass and moving from sixth place at the start of the period up to second.

“There’s a lot of fish still spawning, but what I noticed is they’re spawning offshore – points, shoals, bars, whatever,” he said. “And so being really dialed in with that is really, really important this week.”

Like Lucas, Jones expects the bite to slow a bit tomorrow. If he can push his total above 100 pounds, he likes his chances of winning the Qualifying Round.

And he has no reservations about pursuing the automatic berth to the Championship Round. A Top 10 would be important in his pursuit of his first Fishing Clash Angler of the Year title (he’s currently fourth), and since he doesn’t have to worry about saving bass on Chickamauga, he sees no reason not to shoot for it.

“Normally, there’s a little more strategy that goes into grabbing the auto qualification,” Jones said. “Do I want to burn my fish? Do I not want to burn my fish? But here, we’re not coming back. So, there is no number where you lay off here. It’s just pedal to the metal and see what happens.” 

The top 20 pros after Day 1 on Lake Chickamauga are:

1st:          Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 25 bass, 64-3
2nd         Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, 19 bass, 58-13
3rd:         Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 19 bass, 55-15
4th:         Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 16 bass, 47-12
5th:         Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., 17 bass, 47-8
6th:         Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 18 bass, 47-5
7th:         Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., 17 bass, 46-3
8th:         Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 14 bass, 44-4
9th:         Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 15 bass, 42-12
10th:       Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 15 bass, 42-2
11th:       Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan., 12 bass, 41-2
12th:       Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., 15 bass, 40-2
13th:       Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., 16 bass, 38-12
14th:       David Walker, Huntingdon, Tenn., 13 bass, 38-3
15th:       Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 15 bass, 37-15
16th:       Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 12 bass, 36-14
17th:       Colby Miller, Elmer, La., 12 bass, 33-10
18th:       Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., 13 bass, 33-3
19th:       Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, 10 bass, 32-3
20th:       Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., nine bass, 31-8
 
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

“Big Fish” Bobby Lane earned the Day 1 Berkley Big Bass Award Thursday with a 7-pound, 14-ounce largemouth that he caught on a bladed swim jig in Period 1. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day.

The full field of anglers compete in the two-day Qualifying Round on Thursday and Friday. After the two-day Qualifying Round is complete, the pro with the highest two-day total advances directly to Sunday’s Championship Round. Anglers that finish 2nd through 20th will advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining anglers compete to finish in the top nine to advance to Sunday’s Championship Round. In the final-day Championship Round, weights are zeroed, and the highest one-day total wins the top prize of $150,000.

Anglers will launch at 7:15 a.m. ET Friday from Chester Frost Park, located at 2277 Gold Point Circle N. in Hixson, Tennessee. The takeout on Friday will be held at the same location beginning at 3:45 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, anglers will launch at 7:15 a.m. ET from the Tennessee Riverpark, located at 4301 Amnicola Highway in Chattanooga. The takeout Saturday and Sunday will be held at the same location, beginning at 3:45 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch and takeout events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLFNOW!®  live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on all four days of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. MLFNOW!®  will be live streamed on  MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.

On Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to visit Ross’s Landing at 201 Riverfront Parkway for the MLF Fan Experience & Watch Party. Fans can watch the pros live on the MLFNOW!  big screen, enjoy free food, enter to win hourly giveaways, listen to live music and cheer on their favorite pros. The first 50 kids 14 and under will receive a free Abu Garcia rod and reel each day. The event also includes a meet and greet with Paw Patrol’s Skye and Marshall, a youth fishing derby presented by Hardee’s and a casting contest. The Bass Pro Tour anglers will be on hand both days to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and take selfies.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 at Lake Chickamauga and Nickajack Lake Presented by OPTIMA Batteries is hosted by Chattanooga, Tennessee and Fish Tennessee and features anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable. The MLF Fisheries Management Division determines minimum weights for each body of water that the Bass Pro Tour visits, based on the productivity, bass population and anticipated average size of fish in each fishery.

The 2025 Bass Pro Tour features a field of 66 of the top professional anglers in the world, competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2026 championship.

Television coverage of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 at Lake Chickamauga and Nickajack Lake Presented by OPTIMA Batteries will premiere as a two-hour episode starting at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Oct. 11 on Discovery, with the Championship Round premiering on Saturday, Oct. 18. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.

Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, Bass Force, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, E3 Sport Apparel, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Star brite, Suzuki Marine and Toyota.

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 , X, Instagram and  YouTube.





Jeff & Zack Wolf Win 5 Alive Guaranteed $7000.00 Team Trail Qualifier #4 Mayo Lake 4/26/2025

Brian Carter
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Jeff & Zack Wolf Win 5 Alive Guaranteed $7000.00 Team Trail Qualifier #4 Mayo Lake 4/26/2025

5 Alive Guaranteed $7000.00 Team Trail-Qualifier #4- Mayo Lake- 4/26/205

Last Saturday we went back to Mayo Lake for the 4th Qualifier of the Guaranteed $7000.00 Trail. 

We had 54 teams show up for the event. The results!!! Well they looked very similar to the results the week before in the Big-5 Spring Championship. 

The weather was better and definitely not as windy as the week before but them Big fish was still dieting for the majority of the field.

When it was all said and done it was a repeat WIN ? for the team of Jeff Wolfe and his son Zack Wolfe. 

They topped the 54 boat field with another good bag weighing 20.91 pounds. That earned them a total of? $2175.00? for the day. Thats a total of ?$6325.00? in the last two weeks at Mayo Lake. THATS IMPRESSIVE!

These two have proven that they can hold their own definitely at Mayo and other lakes as well. I beleive Mr Jeff Wolfe went to Falls the next day in a tournament and either won or finished 2nd. They are no joke and if you can’t see that then you need to go and get your eyes checked. GREAT JOB GUYS!!

They were followed by the team of J. Mullins & G. Mullins. The husband / wife team had a 5 fish limit weighing 17.29 pounds anchored by a 6.69 pound fish that also won Big Fish for the tournament. They carried home a total of $1165.00 for the day. Yeppp!! Hold up ! I get to needle a little bit. ? They missed out on a extra $600.00 by not getting into the 2 TWT pots.? That’s several teams that have done that this year and I’ve got them all for it. Lol! Regardless of that that was a great bag and a good tournament for the two. Congrats yall two!

Our final Qualifier for the year is at Kerr Lake on 

5/31/2025 – Occoneechee Ramp. 

As you will see in the updated points standings below the Points race coming into the last tournament is as tight as Jeff Brann ‘s life vest when he blast off! ?

The top 5 in the points standings are seperated by only 8 points. This last Qualifier is going to be a Barn Burner!?

Want to say THANK YOU to all of our Sponsors in the $7000.00 Trail!

If you want to pre register for any of our tournaments contact me Kevin Sheppard at 336-264-8416. 

Thanks!

Results.

1st. Wolfe & Wolfe- 20.91 pounds- $2175.00 TWT 

2nd.J. Mullins & G. Mullins- 17.29 pounds-$1165.00

3rd. Woody & Puckett-16.07 pounds- $1125.00 TWT 

4th. Laws & Laws – 15.91 pounds- $625.00 TWT 

5th. Patterson & Patterson-15.83 pounds-$525.00 

TWT

6th . Wagner & Wagner- 15.16 pounds-$250.00

7th. C. Mullins & J. Mullins- 14.89 pounds-$200.00

8th. Adam White – 14.65 pounds-$120.00

9th. Dalton & West – 14.59 pounds 

10th. Jeremy Blackwell – 13.96 pounds

Big Fish. 

J. Mullins & G. Mullins-6.69 pounds- $540.00





Jeff & Zack Wolfe Win 5 Alive Big-5 Southern Door Solutions Spring Championship 4/19/2025

Brian Carter
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Jeff & Zack Wolfe Win 5 Alive Big-5 Southern Door Solutions Spring Championship 4/19/2025

We had the Inaugural Southern Door Solutions Big-5- Spring Championship 2 weeks ago. YEP!!! I know I’m late posting. SORRY!

?‍♂️

I want to start off by saying THANK YOU to Mr. Philip Wilkins the owner of Southern Door Solutions for coming on board with us this year and sponsoring the event.

We had 47 teams out of the 105 teams qualified for the event show up to fish. The wind was brutal and evidently all the big fish went on a diet for this tournament for the majority of the teams. Lol!
When it was over there was a team that showed all the rest of us how it was supposed to be done.

The Father-Son team of Jeff Wolfe and Zack Wolfe came in and dropped the hammer on the scales and blew it out of the water. They had a 5-fish limit weighing 23.15 pounds. That Won

?

them the Guaranteed $3000.00 to win the tournament plus both of the TWT’S as well totaling

?

$4150.00

?

for the day. That was an impressive bag for that day for sure. BIG CONGRATULATIONS to those two on a excellent day of fishing. Well deserved!

They were followed by the team of Collins & Gwaltney who had a 5 fish limit weighing 19.06 pounds. Which by the way was a very impressive bag for that day for sure. That earned them a total of $1750.00 for the day.
GREAT JOB as well guys!

Big fish was won by the 3rd place finishing team in the tournament- Scearce & Slade. They had a great day as well. They had a 6.72 pound fish that won Big Fish for the tournament that anchored a 5 fish limit weighing 18.91 pounds.They carried home a total of $1520.00 for the day.

Aslo if you finished in the top 5 you automatically are qualified to fish in the 2 day Guaranteed $7000.00 Championship.
If a team had already qualified for that then we moved it to the next team on the list that had not.

Here are the Qualified teams for the 2 day $7000.00 Championship.
-Wolfe & Wolfe
-Collins & Gwaltney
-Scearce & Slade
-Gee & Gunter
-Moser & Beale

BIG CONGRATULATIONS to all the teams who placed in the money and made their way into the 2 day Championship in October at Kerr Lake!!

Looking forward to next year’s BIG 5 Spring Championship.

?

REMEMBER

?

The only way to qualify for the Spring Championship is to fish atleast 3 tournaments in a single Trail other than the Guaranteed $7000.00 Trail this year. Here are the trails you can qualify through.
-Nc Marine Hyco Trail
-Foundations Experts Kerr Trail
-Caswell Glass Mayo Trail
-State Construction Fall Trail
-5 Alive Gaston Trail
You fish this year to qualify for next years Spring Championship.

Results.
1st. Wolfe & Wolfe-23.15 pounds- $4150.00 TWT
2nd. Collins & Gwaltney-19.06 pounds-$1750.00 TWT
3rd. Scearce & Slade-18.91 pounds- $1520.00 TWT
4th. Gee & Gunter – 17.91 pounds- $500.00
5th. Moser & Beale – 16.67 pounds -$400.00
6th. Owens & Roberts – 15.76 pounds – $300.00
7th. Bohannon & Porterfield- 15.04 pounds- $200.00
8th. Haley & Walker – 14.66 pounds – $130.00
9th. Hall & Fox -14.23 pounds
10th. Wray & Purcell – 14.1 pounds

Big fish
Scearce & Slade – 6.72 pounds – $470.00





Gambler Lures Expands Distribution With Pitman Creek To Bring Full Frog Lineup To Retailers Nationwide

Brian Carter
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Gambler Lures Expands Distribution With Pitman Creek To Bring Full Frog Lineup To Retailers Nationwide
  • FTR Industry Wire
  • April 30, 2025

Gambler Lures, a leading innovator in fishing lures and tackle, is excited to announce that Pitman Creek, one of the top distributors in fishing tackle retail, will now carry the full lineup of Gambler’s frog series.

This expansion ensures that retailers across the country have access to Gambler Lures’ top-performing hollow-body frogs, designed to offer anglers a tournament ready solution right out of the box.

  • The Popping Frog – A hugely popular hollow-body frog with a cupped mouth, rattles, and custom weighting, designed by local tournament anglers with all the mods so it’s ready to fish right out of the package.
  • The Walking Frog – The newly released frog designed for superior walk-the-dog action, and offering the same tournament mods as the Popping Frog right out of the package.

“Pitman Creek has been a key distributor in the tackle industry, and with the growing demand for our frog lineup, we wanted to ensure retailers have easy access to these proven fish catchers,” said Val Osinski, owner of Gambler Lures. “Topwater frog fishing is right in our wheel house with Lake Okeechobee in our backyard, and with Pitman Creek carrying our full lineup, more anglers will be able to get a taste of  frogs built by tournament anglers in one of the best testing grounds in the U.S.”

The addition of Gambler Lures’ Popping Frog and Walking Frog to Pitman Creek’s distribution catalog marks a significant step in providing retailers with high-demand, performance-driven products in the massively popular category of frog fishing. With years of innovation behind their designs, Gambler Lures remains at the forefront of creating high-quality lures tailored for serious anglers.

For more information about Gambler Lures and their full product lineup, visit www.gambler-lures.com. Retailers can contact Pitman Creek directly to place orders and learn more about stocking these products or email [email protected] or call 954-969-1772.





BassmastHER workshops continue to inspire women in 2025

Brian Carter
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BassmastHER workshops continue to inspire women in 2025

Bassmaster continues its expanded BassmastHER workshops for 2025 with upcoming events being held in Orange, Texas, Orlando, Fla., and La Crosse, Wis.

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

May 1, 2025

BassmastHER workshops continue to inspire women in 2025

BassmastHER_Logo_Shield.png

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —  After a very successful inaugural season, Bassmaster’s popular BassmastHER program continues to host workshops in conjunction with events during the 2025 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series season.

BassmastHER, an initiative started with the goal of creating a space for female anglers at all levels to learn new fishing skills within a supportive community, launched a series of one-day workshops in 2024 that ran in conjunction with select Elite Series events. In response to the program’s success, B.A.S.S. has expanded workshop dates in 2025 to create even more workshop opportunities for female anglers across the country.

Gender does not dictate how successful you can be on the water, but it helps to have a like-minded support system for education, travel, inspiration and ideation. BassmastHER was created to build a passionate community of female anglers, inspire confidence at the water’s edge and be the conduit for creating lifetime friends and memories.

BassmastHER workshops are conducted by BassmastHER ambassadors Anastasia Patterson, Kristine Fischer and Maggie Carsello, along with fishing experts from the Bassmaster staff. Topics at the workshops range from bass fishing fundamentals to casting for accuracy, getting familiar with a bass boat or kayak, bank fishing and discussing industry and sponsorship opportunities. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with other female anglers at the workshops.

“Being a part of BassmastHER is bigger than just me — it’s every little girl, wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend who has a passion for fishing,” said Patterson. “They are all a part of this initiative to get more women out there and fishing. The workshops are a great space to learn, lead, network and contribute to plant seeds to grow the community of female anglers and hopefully see more women out on the water.”

2025 BassmastHER workshops have been held in conjunction with the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour in Fort Worth, Texas (March 23) and the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, S.C. (April 26). Upcoming 2025 BassmastHER workshops will run concurrently with the following events:

“As a dad who is teaching his two young girls to fish, I am excited that the BassmastHER program will introduce more females to the sport of bass fishing,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “I am thankful for our partners at Toyota for their continued support, and I believe together we can continue to grow this great program.”

Virtual BassmastHER workshop educational material, articles and how-to pieces can be found at Bassmaster.com. Women interested in attending workshops, telling their story or asking fishing-related questions are encouraged to reach out to BassmastHER on any of their social channels, including a private Facebook page for female anglers to network with each other and establish community, or email [email protected].

The BassmastHER workshops are for all skill levels, but participants must be at least 14 years old. Workshops are only $25 to attend and space is limited, so it is first come, first serve.





Productive morning carries McCarter, Drennon to Day 1 lead at Buggs Island

Brian Carter
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Productive morning carries McCarter, Drennon to Day 1 lead at Buggs Island

The Carson-Newman team of Easton Drennon (left) and Chase McCarter (right) takes the Day 1 lead at the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Buggs Island presented by Bass Pro Shops with a weight of 20 pounds, 5 ounces.

Photo by Solomon Glenn/B.A.S.S.

April 30, 2025

Productive morning carries McCarter, Drennon to Day 1 lead at Buggs Island

CollegeSeries_StrikeKing_BPSjm_4C.png

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, Va. —  Day 1 of the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Buggs Island presented by Bass Pro Shops well exceeded the expectations of Easton Drennon and Chase McCarter, who landed a five-bass limit weighing 20 pounds, 5 ounces to take the lead over the 200-boat field.

The Carson-Newman duo holds a 3-ounce advantage over North Alabama’s Nathan Reynolds and Jake Brown. Lucas Washburn and Braylon Eggerding from Adrian College and Will Wester and Jackson Thomas from Emmanuel College are tied for third with 18-9. 

“We are amazed. Today was a true blessing,” Drennon said. “We honestly struggled in practice. We didn’t see many fish over 2 ½ pounds. It was a tough practice, so we went out with the mindset that we were going to grind out some bites and it went our way.”

Anglers enjoyed warm and sunny conditions on Day 1 of the two-day tournament, which resulted in an overall great day of fishing from the field. A total of 176 limits were caught and over 2,265 pounds of bass hit the scales. 

McCarter and Drennon both hail from Tennessee, McCarter from the eastern side of the state and Drennon from the Nashville area. While neither one had seen Buggs Island prior to the week, McCarter’s experience using forward-facing sonar on Douglas Lake played a role in their Day 1 success. 

After a lackluster practice, McCarter and Drennon found a small area with shallow and deep-water access that both prespawn and postspawn bass were utilizing. 

“The fish had both deep and shallow to dwell in,” Drennon said. “I think that is what made the biggest difference. We had some postspawners and some that still seemed to be prespawn in our bag.”

They filled their bag of 4-pound largemouth using a jighead minnow, but getting the bass to bite it took more convincing than McCarter expected.

“You just had to make a lot of good casts. They weren’t just going to run out and get it; you really had to talk them into it. They wanted it a certain way,” he explained. “Most of them were cruising along the bottom and some of them were stationary. It is a pretty special spot, honestly.” 

Although their starting spot didn’t pan out like they hoped, McCarter and Drennon quickly moved to what turned out to be their best point. There, they quickly filled out a limit and landed three of the bass they would take back to weigh-in. A short distance down the bank on another point, they landed two more quality keepers. 

“It was unreal. They were just biting,” McCarter said. “I’d say we started catching them around 7:30 and we were done by 11. We left that area after that. We culled a 3.39 and we didn’t think the lake could produce much more than a 20-pound bag. We didn’t want to waste any fish.”

The Carson-Newman team spent the rest of the day trying to expand on their area and found a few more promising spots for the final day. McCarter believes they will need around 17 pounds to keep the lead on Day 2. 

Reynolds and Brown anchored their 20-3 Day 1 limit with the Big Bass of the Day, a 5-2 largemouth. 

The full field will launch from Occoneechee State Park tomorrow beginning at 6:15 a.m. ET and return for weigh-in at 2:15 p.m. The Top 10% of the field will punch their tickets to the 2025 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at Cherokee Lake scheduled for July 10-12. Teams will also earn points towards the Lunkers Trail Team of the Year race. 

2025 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Buggs Island presented by Bass Pro Shops 4/30-5/1
Buggs Island Reservoir, Mecklenburg  VA.
Standings Day 1

    Team                                       Club/School                       Pts

1.  Easton Drennon – Chase McCarter              Carson-Newman University            250
  Day 1: 5   20-05   Total:   5  20-05
2.  Nathan Reynolds – Jake Brown                 University of North Alabama         249
  Day 1: 5   20-02   Total:   5  20-02
3.  Lucas Washburn – Braylon Eggerding           Adrian College                      248
  Day 1: 5   18-09   Total:   5  18-09
3.  Will Wester – Jackson Thomas                 Emmanuel College                    248
  Day 1: 5   18-09   Total:   5  18-09
5.  Matthew Massey – Matthew Gunn                Erskine College                     246
  Day 1: 5   18-05   Total:   5  18-05
6.  Brody Robison – Peyton Sorrow                University of Montevallo            245
  Day 1: 5   17-13   Total:   5  17-13
7.  Colton Boelkes – Joshua Hayes                University of North Alabama         244
  Day 1: 5   17-12   Total:   5  17-12
8.  Brennan Berglund – Colton White              University of Montevallo            243
  Day 1: 5   17-01   Total:   5  17-01
8.  Trey Marco – Jake Rowlands                   King University                     243
  Day 1: 5   17-01   Total:   5  17-01
10. Scooter Ligon Jr – Levi Seagraves            Emmanuel College                    241
  Day 1: 5   16-12   Total:   5  16-12
11. Drake Sturgill – Hudson Choquette            University of Montevallo            240
  Day 1: 5   16-12   Total:   5  16-12
12. Peyton Harris – Dalton Head                  University of Montevallo            239
  Day 1: 5   16-03   Total:   5  16-03
13. Matt Boerboom – Jacob Swanson                University of Montevallo            238
  Day 1: 5   16-02   Total:   5  16-02
13. Bryson Dotson – Hayden Peck                  Tennessee Wesleyan University       238
  Day 1: 5   16-02   Total:   5  16-02
15. Cason Price – Joe Vaulton                    Carson-Newman University            236
  Day 1: 5   16-01   Total:   5  16-01
16. Matthew Strickland – Eli Ward                University of Pikeville             235
  Day 1: 5   16-00   Total:   5  16-00
17. Bryce Dimauro – Tripp Berlinsky              Bryan College                       234
  Day 1: 5   15-12   Total:   5  15-12
17. Nick Dumke – Connor Bell                     University of Montevallo            234
  Day 1: 5   15-12   Total:   5  15-12
19. Daylon Milam – James Dubose                  University of Montevallo            232
  Day 1: 5   15-11   Total:   5  15-11
20. Storm Clark – Elisha Colley                  University of Montevallo            231
  Day 1: 5   15-09   Total:   5  15-09
21. Derek Rodriguez Jr. – Gavyn Rapp             Adrian College                      230
  Day 1: 5   15-07   Total:   5  15-07
22. Bryce Mcdonald – Ethan Elliott               University of Pikeville             229
  Day 1: 5   15-06   Total:   5  15-06
23. Storm Cline – Gabe Fishlock                  Carson-Newman University            228
  Day 1: 5   15-04   Total:   5  15-04
24. James Lamberth – Jaxon Leverette             Troy University                     227
  Day 1: 5   15-03   Total:   5  15-03
25. Chandler Howell – Clayton Ellis              Blue Mountain Christian Universi    226
  Day 1: 5   15-02   Total:   5  15-02
26. Nicholas DellaPorta – Drew Pitts             Carson-Newman University            225
  Day 1: 5   15-01   Total:   5  15-01
27. Szymon Piton – Riley Faulkner                Carson-Newman University            224
  Day 1: 5   15-01   Total:   5  15-01
28. Peyton Dunn – Michael Avery                  Emmanuel College                    223
  Day 1: 5   14-15   Total:   5  14-15
28. Zachary Helton – Blake Wheat                 Carson-Newman University            223
  Day 1: 5   14-15   Total:   5  14-15
30. Chris Baker – Elijah Kelley                  Kentucky Christian University       221
  Day 1: 5   14-14   Total:   5  14-14
31. Anderson Jones –                             Lander University                   220
  Day 1: 5   14-10   Total:   5  14-10
32. Joe Shamblin – William Griffith              University of Pikeville             219
  Day 1: 5   14-09   Total:   5  14-09
33. Turner Hart – Summer Dees                    Bryan College                       218
  Day 1: 5   14-08   Total:   5  14-08
34. Will Hart – Logan Fisher                     Emmanuel College                    217
  Day 1: 5   14-07   Total:   5  14-07
35. Brady Pinwar – Cole Carr                     Adrian College                      216
  Day 1: 5   14-06   Total:   5  14-06
35. Colby Reece – Alex Gore                      Carson-Newman University            216
  Day 1: 5   14-06   Total:   5  14-06
37. Austin Marley – Jack Richardson              Georgia Southern University         214
  Day 1: 5   14-05   Total:   5  14-05
38. Lane Clark – Tallis Morrison                 Erskine College                     213
  Day 1: 5   14-04   Total:   5  14-04
39. Kaleb Butts – Landon Bannister               University of South Carolina – U    212
  Day 1: 5   14-02   Total:   5  14-02
40. Brayden Batchelor – Quinn Williams           Georgia Southern University         211
  Day 1: 5   14-02   Total:   5  14-02
41. Jake Krauth – Jack Mcillwain                 University of North Alabama         210
  Day 1: 5   14-01   Total:   5  14-01
42. Cody Abbott – Trenton Carey                  Lander University                   209
  Day 1: 5   14-00   Total:   5  14-00
42. Chan Barber II – Jake Kester                 NC State University                 209
  Day 1: 5   14-00   Total:   5  14-00
44. Trace Antunes III – Garrett Ring             University of Montevallo            207
  Day 1: 5   13-15   Total:   5  13-15
44. Hayden Williams – Luke Garofalo              University of South Carolina – U    207
  Day 1: 5   13-15   Total:   5  13-15
46. Brendan Vinton – Grant Harris                Cvcc Redhawks                       205
  Day 1: 5   13-15   Total:   5  13-15
47. Kaden Buchmann – Chase Wodzinski             Lander University                   204
  Day 1: 5   13-14   Total:   5  13-14
47. Drake Hemby – Ewing Minor                    Carson-Newman University            204
  Day 1: 5   13-14   Total:   5  13-14
47. Logan Hendrick – Jake Brown                  Lenoir Rhyne University             204
  Day 1: 5   13-14   Total:   5  13-14
50. Blake Bullock – John Mark Berry              Blue Mountain Christian Universi    201
  Day 1: 5   13-13   Total:   5  13-13
51. Cameron Dials – Ethan Burnette               Kentucky Christian University       200
  Day 1: 5   13-12   Total:   5  13-12
52. Joe Lutz – Jake Monti                        UNC – Charlotte                     199
  Day 1: 5   13-10   Total:   5  13-10
53. Jeremy Monda – Will Boyd Jr                  Florida Gateway College             198
  Day 1: 5   13-09   Total:   5  13-09
54. Blair Erickson – Jackson Pontius             University of Montevallo            197
  Day 1: 5   13-08   Total:   5  13-08
54. Hampton Shull – Landon Surrett               Lander University                   197
  Day 1: 5   13-08   Total:   5  13-08
56. Paxton Giem – Nick Seitz                     Adrian College                      195
  Day 1: 5   13-07   Total:   5  13-07
57. Hunter Barrow – Kanton Trull                 Catawba Valley Community College    194
  Day 1: 5   13-06   Total:   5  13-06
57. Brayden Ruckman – Zachary Wolfe              Carson-Newman University            194
  Day 1: 5   13-06   Total:   5  13-06
57. Calup Williams – Hunter King                 Blue Mountain Christian Universi    194
  Day 1: 5   13-06   Total:   5  13-06
57. Brycen Williamson –                          Erskine College                     194
  Day 1: 5   13-06   Total:   5  13-06
61. Carson Winn – Ethan Tedder                   University of North Alabama         190
  Day 1: 5   13-05   Total:   5  13-05
61. Wyatt Wood – Wyatt Ford                      University of Montevallo            190
  Day 1: 5   13-05   Total:   5  13-05
63. Jon Foster – Lawton Williams                 Erskine College                     188
  Day 1: 5   13-04   Total:   5  13-04
63. Tomas Matual – Zach Widelski                 Mckendree University Bass Fishin    188
  Day 1: 5   13-04   Total:   5  13-04
65. Andrew Blanton – Garrett Smith               Lander University                   186
  Day 1: 5   13-04   Total:   5  13-04
66. Jackson Mitchell – Carson Palmer             Carson Newman University            185
  Day 1: 5   13-03   Total:   5  13-03
67. Nolan Gray – Riley Brown                     Carson-Newman University            184
  Day 1: 5   13-02   Total:   5  13-02
68. Hunter Slone – Cole Petroff                  Tennessee Tech University           183
  Day 1: 5   13-00   Total:   5  13-00
69. Will Kimbrough – Mac Nail                    Georgia Southern University         182
  Day 1: 5   12-12   Total:   5  12-12
70. Brooks Parker – Briggs Alavezos              University of Montevallo            181
  Day 1: 5   12-11   Total:   5  12-11
71. Carter Burdette – Brayden Jordan             Troy University                     180
  Day 1: 5   12-10   Total:   5  12-10
71. Ethan Vue – Christian Vue                    UNC – Charlotte                     180
  Day 1: 5   12-10   Total:   5  12-10
73. Gavin Sheffer – Logan Birth                  Liberty University                  178
  Day 1: 5   12-10   Total:   5  12-10
74. Cameron Chapman – Dyson Lewis                Catawba Valley Community College    177
  Day 1: 5   12-09   Total:   5  12-09
74. Nick Hawkins – Dillan Mcglothern             Webber International University     177
  Day 1: 5   12-09   Total:   5  12-09
74. Ethan Hospedales –                           UNC – Charlotte                     177
  Day 1: 5   12-09   Total:   5  12-09
74. Harrison McCall –                            Lander University                   177
  Day 1: 5   12-09   Total:   5  12-09
78. Kasen Pemberton – Avery Padgett              Troy University                     173
  Day 1: 5   12-07   Total:   5  12-07
79. Chandler Pruett – Steven Deschene            Blue Mountain Christian Universi    172
  Day 1: 5   12-06   Total:   5  12-06
79. Tyler Thompson – Emery Burnett               Georgia Southern University         172
  Day 1: 5   12-06   Total:   5  12-06
81. Cole Moulton – Jared Hubbard                 Lander University                   170
  Day 1: 5   12-06   Total:   5  12-06
81. Mitch Straffon – Owen Januszewski            Adrian College                      170
  Day 1: 5   12-06   Total:   5  12-06
83. Brian Haire – Fischer Barber                 Troy University                     168
  Day 1: 5   12-05   Total:   5  12-05
83. Palmer Parrish –                             Clemson University                  168
  Day 1: 5   12-05   Total:   5  12-05
85. Dalton DeFelice – Evan Ludlow                University of Montevallo            166
  Day 1: 5   12-04   Total:   5  12-04
85. Spencer Knight – Colton Cybulski             Ohio State University               166
  Day 1: 5   12-04   Total:   5  12-04
87. Caden Gettys – Tyler Eggers                  Catawba Valley Community College    164
  Day 1: 5   12-03   Total:   5  12-03
88. Mason Bohland – Brady Metzger                Purdue University                   163
  Day 1: 5   12-02   Total:   5  12-02
88. Hunter Kellogg – Owen Klein                  Ohio State University               163
  Day 1: 5   12-02   Total:   5  12-02
88. Charlie Moomau – Matthew Delaney             West Virginia University            163
  Day 1: 5   12-02   Total:   5  12-02
91. Lawson Blake – Garrett Simon                 Marshall University                 160
  Day 1: 5   12-02   Total:   5  12-02
92. Thomas Osa – Kole Costello                   High Point University               159
  Day 1: 5   12-01   Total:   5  12-01
93. Will Rooker – Ben Brockwell                  Kentucky Christian University       158
  Day 1: 5   12-00   Total:   5  12-00
94. Hunter Starling – Emory Jackson              Georgia Southern University         157
  Day 1: 5   11-15   Total:   5  11-15
95. Brendon Brones – Porter Welch                Lamar State College Orange          156
  Day 1: 5   11-14   Total:   5  11-14
95. Mason Kornegay – Miller Dowling              University of Montevallo            156
  Day 1: 5   11-14   Total:   5  11-14
97. Caleb Dugger – Kolby Gambrel                 King University                     154
  Day 1: 5   11-12   Total:   5  11-12
97. Thomas Phillips – James Riegert              Ohio State University               154
  Day 1: 5   11-12   Total:   5  11-12
97. Kaden Raichel – Luke Davis                   University of Montevallo            154
  Day 1: 5   11-12   Total:   5  11-12
97. Grant Rice – Blake Marcum                    Morehead State University           154
  Day 1: 5   11-12   Total:   5  11-12
101. Brandon Berry – Hunter Bright                University of Montevallo            150
  Day 1: 5   11-11   Total:   5  11-11
101. Drew Kuhnle – Landon Rollison                Lander University                   150
  Day 1: 5   11-11   Total:   5  11-11
103. Colin Cooper – Cory Mitchell                 Liberty University                  148
  Day 1: 5   11-11   Total:   5  11-11
104. Asa Putnam – Brett Mouw                      University of Montevallo            147
  Day 1: 5   11-10   Total:   5  11-10
104. Nick Schaefer – Cameron Gates                University of Pikeville             147
  Day 1: 5   11-10   Total:   5  11-10
106. Garrett Christy – Corban Chenevey            Catawba Valley Community College    145
  Day 1: 5   11-08   Total:   5  11-08
107. Hunter Keller – Wes Smith II                 Catawba Valley Community College    144
  Day 1: 5   11-07   Total:   5  11-07
108. Jackson Rentschler – Tyler Gross             Purdue University                   143
  Day 1: 5   11-06   Total:   5  11-06
109. Jacob Vanscoik – Robert Richbourg            Catawba Valley Community College    142
  Day 1: 5   11-04   Total:   5  11-04
109. Dawson Woerner – Wyatt Cash                  Purdue University                   142
  Day 1: 5   11-04   Total:   5  11-04
111. Tanner Wassilchalk – Mason Kerr              West Virginia University            140
  Day 1: 4   11-04   Total:   4  11-04
112. Carson Aarup – Ryan Auchmoody                UNC – Charlotte                     139
  Day 1: 5   11-03   Total:   5  11-03
112. Logan Howarter – Mason Lyons                 Kentucky Christian University       139
  Day 1: 5   11-03   Total:   5  11-03
114. Max Hondorp – Ridge Faircloth                Troy University                     137
  Day 1: 5   11-02   Total:   5  11-02
114. Robert Miller – Levi Bolton                  Emmanuel College                    137
  Day 1: 5   11-02   Total:   5  11-02
114. Dylan Reid – Jaxson Smoak                    Georgia Southern University         137
  Day 1: 5   11-02   Total:   5  11-02
117. Colin McGough – Jeremy Etter                 Virginia Tech University            134
  Day 1: 5   11-02   Total:   5  11-02
118. Sawyer Brady – TJ Edwards Jr                 Blue Mountain Christian Universi    133
  Day 1: 5   11-01   Total:   5  11-01
118. Dustin Weinberg – Cade McBride               Blue Mountain Christian Universi    133
  Day 1: 5   11-01   Total:   5  11-01
120. Cole Hunter – Joseph Bontrager               University of South Carolina – U    131
  Day 1: 5   10-15   Total:   5  10-15
120. Chase Rogers – Bryson Holland                University of South Carolina – U    131
  Day 1: 5   10-15   Total:   5  10-15
120. Carrson Sizemore – Dalton Blakley            University of Pikeville             131
  Day 1: 5   10-15   Total:   5  10-15
123. Preston Kolisek – Smith McGregor             University of North Alabama         128
  Day 1: 5   10-15   Total:   5  10-15
124. Bryce Balentine – Connor Koch                Florida Gateway College             127
  Day 1: 5   10-13   Total:   5  10-13
125. Will Hammond – Parker Lambert                Lander University                   126
  Day 1: 5   10-12   Total:   5  10-12
125. Chase Loftus – Caden Petrille                University of Iowa                  126
  Day 1: 5   10-12   Total:   5  10-12
127. Bryson Holderness – Isaac Greene             University of South Carolina – U    124
  Day 1: 5   10-11   Total:   5  10-11
128. Matt Brault – Dylan Mclaughlin               Erskine College                     123
  Day 1: 5   10-10   Total:   5  10-10
128. Bryson Hatcher – Jake Lovingood              Bryan College                       123
  Day 1: 5   10-10   Total:   5  10-10
130. Zion Dunaway – Andrew Krintz                 Purdue University                   121
  Day 1: 5   10-09   Total:   5  10-09
131. Dylan May – Will Shepherd                    Carson-Newman University            120
  Day 1: 5   10-08   Total:   5  10-08
131. Leo Romano – Miller Kieran                   James Madison University            120
  Day 1: 5   10-08   Total:   5  10-08
133. Jerry Brumbaugh Jr. – Quade Lobo             Adrian College                      118
  Day 1: 5   10-07   Total:   5  10-07
133. Branton Champion – Cole Guck                 Emmanuel College                    118
  Day 1: 5   10-07   Total:   5  10-07
133. Wyatt Gabehart – Riley Hendricks             Lander University                   118
  Day 1: 5   10-07   Total:   5  10-07
133. Fisher Heard – Hunter Brewer                 University of North Alabama         118
  Day 1: 5   10-07   Total:   5  10-07
137. Gabe Hannon –                                LSU                                 114
  Day 1: 5   10-06   Total:   5  10-06
138. Alex Geroulis – William Brogan               Indiana University                  113
  Day 1: 5   10-05   Total:   5  10-05
139. Rylan Green – Luke McGuffin                  Erskine College                     112
  Day 1: 5   10-04   Total:   5  10-04
139. Ryan Thomas – Nate Harper                    University of Pikeville             112
  Day 1: 5   10-04   Total:   5  10-04
141. Finn Maher – Jake Buzin                      University of South Carolina        110
  Day 1: 5   10-03   Total:   5  10-03
142. Dylan Mcgee – Hayden Short                   Kentucky Christian University       109
  Day 1: 5   10-02   Total:   5  10-02
142. Emerson Petty – Jaxon Humphrey               Tennessee Wesleyan University       109
  Day 1: 5   10-02   Total:   5  10-02
144. John James Coco – JD Farage                  LSU                                 107
  Day 1: 5   10-01   Total:   5  10-01
145. Austin Paulus – Landen Paulus                Ohio State University               106
  Day 1: 5   10-00   Total:   5  10-00
145. Seth Shuler – Nicholas Giompalo              University of Pikeville             106
  Day 1: 5   10-00   Total:   5  10-00
145. Kyle Smith – Jacob Highley                   Kentucky Christian University       106
  Day 1: 5   10-00   Total:   5  10-00
148. Makenzie Irwin – Nicholas Palazzo            King University                     103
  Day 1: 5   09-15   Total:   5  09-15
148. Nick Owens – Noah Varitek                    Adrian College                      103
  Day 1: 5   09-15   Total:   5  09-15
148. Hank Sturm – Matt Mosby                      Adrian College                      103
  Day 1: 5   09-15   Total:   5  09-15
151. Robie Vines Jr – Colby Bryan                 Catawba Valley Community College    100
  Day 1: 5   09-12   Total:   5  09-12
152. Hunter Townsend – Jon Wehner Jr              James Madison University             99
  Day 1: 5   09-11   Total:   5  09-11
153. Will Hadley – Blayne Leeman                  Kentucky Christian University        98
  Day 1: 5   09-10   Total:   5  09-10
153. Max Pierlott – Mike Pierlott                 UNC – Charlotte                      98
  Day 1: 5   09-10   Total:   5  09-10
153. JD Sewell – Holden Hatcher                   Lamar State College Orange           98
  Day 1: 5   09-10   Total:   5  09-10
156. Carson Holbrook – Silas Jones                University of Pikeville              95
  Day 1: 5   09-07   Total:   5  09-07
157. Beau Landry – Peyton Matherne                LSU                                  94
  Day 1: 5   09-06   Total:   5  09-06
158. Mitch Johnson – Joe Bob Burchett             Kentucky Christian University        93
  Day 1: 5   09-04   Total:   5  09-04
159. Will Holloway – Nick Pemberton               University of Montevallo             92
  Day 1: 5   09-03   Total:   5  09-03
160. Fisher Rodgers – Loren Oliver                University Of South Carolina         91
  Day 1: 5   09-02   Total:   5  09-02
160. Kyle Zainitzer – Hayden Alexander            University of North Alabama          91
  Day 1: 5   09-02   Total:   5  09-02
162. Dane Leopold – Chris Veitch                  Coastal Carolina University          89
  Day 1: 5   09-02   Total:   5  09-02
163. Joey Meadows – Caleb Edwards                 Emmanuel College                     88
  Day 1: 5   09-00   Total:   5  09-00
164. Alexander Blanchard – Connor Hebert          LSU                                  87
  Day 1: 5   08-14   Total:   5  08-14
164. Phillip Herring – Parker O’Bryan             University of Montevallo             87
  Day 1: 5   08-14   Total:   5  08-14
166. Cody Wyatt – Fletcher Allen                  UNC – Charlotte                      85
  Day 1: 5   08-12   Total:   5  08-12
167. Chase Hubble –                               University of Florida                84
  Day 1: 5   08-09   Total:   5  08-09
167. Reece Keeney – Brantley Anders               Kentucky Christian University        84
  Day 1: 5   08-09   Total:   5  08-09
167. Matthew Norton – Ian Schroeder               UNC – Charlotte                      84
  Day 1: 5   08-09   Total:   5  08-09
170. Lyndon Gaddy – Daniel Ridenour               East Tennessee State University      81
  Day 1: 5   08-08   Total:   5  08-08
171. Matthew Mitchell – Butler Cochran            University of South Carolina         80
  Day 1: 5   08-08   Total:   5  08-08
172. Andrew Oswalt – Evan Mabrey                  University of Montevallo             79
  Day 1: 5   08-05   Total:   5  08-05
173. Caleb Baynes – Konnor Sweet                  Liberty University                   78
  Day 1: 5   08-01   Total:   5  08-01
174. Connor Westerman – Michael Mcnulty           West Virginia University             77
  Day 1: 4   08-01   Total:   4  08-01
175. Scotty Hagan – Will Copley                   University of Pikeville              76
  Day 1: 5   08-00   Total:   5  08-00
176. Owen Barker – Carter Jerdon                  Ohio State University                75
  Day 1: 5   07-13   Total:   5  07-13
177. Cole Mitchell – Hayden Mare                  High Point University                74
  Day 1: 4   07-13   Total:   4  07-13
178. Conner Nichols – Nathanael Eubank            East Tennessee State University      73
  Day 1: 5   07-09   Total:   5  07-09
179. Cohen Cravey – Maxwell Johnson               Brewton-Parker College               72
  Day 1: 4   07-08   Total:   4  07-08
180. Thomas Smith – Tyler Michael                 University Of South Carolina Uni     71
  Day 1: 3   06-01   Total:   3  06-01
181. Ryder Krueger – Mason Laurin                 Troy University                      70
  Day 1: 4   05-14   Total:   4  05-14
182. Bryson Gurley – Ethan Evatt                  University of South Carolina – U     69
  Day 1: 3   05-13   Total:   3  05-13
183. Garrett Tucker – Tyler Randolph              West Virginia University             68
  Day 1: 3   05-11   Total:   3  05-11
184. Fisher Carver – Hunter Richie                Brewton-Parker College               67
  Day 1: 3   05-05   Total:   3  05-05
185. Landon Brown – JD Rose                       Morehead State University            66
  Day 1: 3   05-04   Total:   3  05-04
186. Cole Bedard – Jackson Plyler                 NC State University                  65
  Day 1: 3   05-02   Total:   3  05-02
187. Tanner Herndon – Caleb Griffin               Bryan College                        64
  Day 1: 3   05-00   Total:   3  05-00
188. Branson James – Hunter Musick                East Tennessee State University      63
  Day 1: 3   04-06   Total:   3  04-06
189. Haden James – Daniel Litwin                                                       62
  Day 1: 2   03-09   Total:   2  03-09
189. Braydon Southerland – Conner Busby           Tennessee Tech University            62
  Day 1: 2   03-09   Total:   2  03-09
191. Trey Martinez – Maddux Moore                 Sportsman Fishing Club At Lsu        60
  Day 1: 2   03-04   Total:   2  03-04
192. Noah Strand – Max Trenz                      UNC – Chapel Hill                    59
  Day 1: 5   01-12   Total:   5  01-12
193. Wes Newman Jr. –                             Liberty University                   58
  Day 1: 1   01-07   Total:   1  01-07
193. Alan Ter Molen – Luke Rosebrook              Grace College                        58
  Day 1: 1   01-07   Total:   1  01-07
195. Kenneth Vicchio – Devon Blevins              East Tennessee State University      56
  Day 1: 1   00-09   Total:   1  00-09
196. Kayden Crosier – Gavin Warholic              Kent State University                 0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
196. MJ Lutz Jr – CJ Chavous Jr.                  University of South Carolina – U      0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
196. Aaron McGill – Trey Woliver                  University of Tennessee               0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
196. Aiden Reid – Isaac Patrick                   Catawba Valley Community College      0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
196. Kyle Werbeck – Joseph Phillips               Kent State University                 0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   Total:   0  00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1       176       933      2265-11
———————————-
         176       933      2265-11





Lake Fork offers tremendous potential for Bassmaster Elite field

Brian Carter
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0
Lake Fork offers tremendous potential for Bassmaster Elite field

Anglers should be hunting for big bites exclusively at the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork in Yantis, Texas, May 8-11.

Photo by Kyle Jessie/B.A.S.S.

April 30, 2025

Lake Fork offers tremendous potential for Bassmaster Elite field

Elite_eventLogo_2025_LakeFork_Raster.png

YANTIS, Texas — Lake Fork is full of water and full of big bass, which bodes well for the 102 anglers set to compete in the 2025 Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite at this east Texas powerhouse.

Competition days will be May 8-11 with daily takeoffs from Caney Point Recreation Area at 6:30 a.m. CT and weigh-ins each day at the same location at 2:30 p.m.

“The weather has been pretty stable around Texas lately,” said Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro Keith Combs. “We haven’t had a lot of rain, but we’ve had enough. The lake is near full now and it stayed up most of last year, so it should be a regular Lake Fork tournament.

“That being said, it is the rainy time of year in Texas, so a lot could change if we start getting rain. That could cause a little water color change in the pockets and creeks, but Fork’s not on a major river that would (significantly) affect it, so this should be a good, stable tournament.”

A thriving testament to the diligent work by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which manages Lake Fork as a trophy bass fishery, this 27,264-acre impoundment of Lake Fork Creek (Sabine River tributary) boasts an impressive population of quality fish, with double-digit giants impressively abundant.

In all five of the previous Elite events at Lake Fork, the renowned fishery yielded Century Club belts, which recognize four-day total weights of 100 pounds or more. Last year’s event yielded 10 century belts, including then-rookie Trey McKinney’s winning total of 130 pounds, 15 ounces.

The tournament format will differ from the standard Elite Series event, as anglers will catch, weigh and release their fish. Anglers catching fish surpassing 24 inches (referred to as “overs”) may bring one to the weigh-in scales. Any fish brought to the weigh-ins are promptly released.

Combs said he expects a mix of spawn and postspawn fish. Bed fishing for Texas tanks might sound appealing, but Combs warns against depending solely on that uncertain pursuit.

“I don’t think a guy can win it exclusively on spawners unless all the weather conditions lined up for every single day,” Combs said. “Someone could earn a Top 10 with all spawners, but I think it would take a postspawn pattern or a combination of spawn and postspawn to win.”

With minimal vegetation, Lake Fork spawners typically use habitat such as docks, stumps and other hard-bottom sites. The typical assortment of Texas-rigged baits fool these bed fish, but Combs suggests upsizing the profiles for this lake’s bigger class of fish.

Postspawn habitat typically includes hard clay points, ridges and big offshore fields of standing timber, the latter of which offers vast habitat for fish to hang out and feed as they wish.

Forward-facing sonar technology has, in recent years, revealed much about specific bass positioning, so anglers can quickly and efficiently break down large areas to locate prime habitat and fish locations. Combs lists jerkbaits, swimbaits, big crankbaits, Neko rigs and jighead minnows as the likely postspawn lineup.

“I think it’s pretty consistent; we’ve been there several times in May,” Combs said. “I think most of what happens on Fork has been (seen); it will just be a matter of a guy dialing it in a little better than the rest of the field.”

As Combs points out, the likelihood of such a performance is higher with the postspawn option simply due to numeric superiority. While bed fishing might reward an angler with a handful of shots at difference-makers, the potential for intercepting postspawn fish offers higher statistical advantage.

Bass follow predictable seasonal routes into and out of their spawning zones, with periodic pauses at key prespawn and postspawn habitat. If an angler locates one of those receiving areas and has the good fortune to fish it for four days, that one spot could deliver the blue trophy.

“I do think in the past you would need multiple spots to win, but now, with a lot of fish moving out, I think a guy could win on one spot,” Combs said. “In general on Fork, schools of fish move in and out a lot. You need to find a place where fish are coming to you.”

“It’s going to take a lot of weight to win; it will take over 100 pounds, there’s no doubt about that,” Combs said. “There’s definitely a way to get bit with smaller fish — you’re just going to have to concentrate on a lesser bite for better quality fish.

“I think the guys that pull away from the rest of the field will not focus on a 4-pound fish. You really don’t need to weigh a single 4-pound fish if you want to win the tournament. You don’t just get a limit and then go for a big bite. You have to look for nothing but big bites.”

As past events have shown, mega-bags are not only possible, they’re expected. Not everyone will be so fortunate, but Combs fully expects a couple of eye-popping performances.

“You can’t do it every day, but you need that one day with a 30- to 40-pound bag,” he said. “We will see that once, maybe twice.”

Bassmaster LIVE coverage of the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork will be available on Bassmaster.com on Days 1 and 2 starting at 8 a.m. ET and ending at 3 p.m. and also on Roku from 8 to 11 a.m. FS1 will carry the morning action on Day 3 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. before moving to Bassmaster.com in the afternoon. Championship Sunday coverage will be broadcast on FS1 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and FOX from noon to 3 p.m.

The Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork is hosted by Wood County.





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