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Herring spawn likely to play big role in Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell

Brian Carter
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Herring spawn likely to play big role in Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell

The herring spawn will be key when the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell heads to Anderson, S.C. April 24-27.

Photo by Craig Lamb/B.A.S.S.

April 17, 2025

Herring spawn likely to play big role in Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell

Elite_eventLogo_2025_LakeHartwell_Raster (1).png

ANDERSON, S.C. — Some might sit and stare, others might run and gun. That’s spring in South Carolina, and it’s what Tyler Campbell expects for the Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell.

Competition days will be April 24-27 with daily takeoffs from Green Pond Landing at 7 a.m. ET and weigh-ins each day back at Green Pond Landing at 3 p.m.

Campbell, a St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN pro and Hartwell guide, spends several days a week on this Savannah River reservoir. Two weeks prior to the Elite tournament he reported good water clarity and a lake level less than half a foot over the full pool level of 660 feet.

Also, midmorning water temperatures were reading around 65 degrees. This, Campbell said, is a pretty good formula for optimism.

“Spring has sprung in South Carolina,” Campbell said. “I’m expecting a spawn/postspawn tournament.”

Noting that the entire lake could be in play, Campbell said the usual mix of wacky rigs, drop shots and Texas rigs will tempt the bed fish. However, the search for spawners will require a picky perspective.

“You’ll see a lot of fish spawning on dock walkways and in shallow pockets with sand, but you want to look for something isolated and out of the ordinary,” Campbell said. “A lot of the lake’s shallow habitat is pretty monotonous, so if you find something out of the ordinary, like a rock, a stump or a laydown, most of the time that’s where better-than-average fish will be spawning.”

Postspawners will be looking to regain the weight they lost during the spawn, and on Lake Hartwell that mostly means blueback herring. These large, nomadic baitfish lead a fast-paced, highly mobile lifestyle for most of the year, but when spring finds them spawning in key areas, bass are quick to capitalize.

“You have to look for really flat stuff, like a flat point,” Campbell said. “They will spawn on riprap, but what you’re really looking for is that flat stuff.

“Two weeks out, the herring spawn was in full swing. I don’t know if that’s how the tournament will be won, but that’s probably what you’re going to see the majority of the field targeting.”

Key point here: Unlike threadfin shad spawns, which occur mostly at night and spill into the first hour or so of daylight, Campbell said the bluebacks are more sunlight tolerant. That means these gatherings may occur throughout a tournament day.

“They’re still fresh, there’s still a lot of waves of herring spawning,” Campbell said. “Especially on overcast days, they’re gonna stay up there and do their deal pretty much all day.”

Shad will spawn throughout the lake, but finding an area to yourself — and also finding one with quality bass — often requires multiple attempts. That’s where the run-and-gun part comes into play. Rapid casting with Flukes and soft-body swimbaits will produce, but the surface game is hard to beat.

“You’ll see some good topwater strikes,” Campbell said of the hunt for herring eaters. “You can catch them on topwater walkers and pencil poppers, but they really like that blowing-style bait, like the Berkley Cane Walker, here a lot.

“I think a wild card could be someone finding prespawn fish. If there are any prespawn fish to find, it’s gonna be on the lower end of the lake. That’s the deepest, clearest and coldest water, so it warms up the slowest.”

While spring 2025 has seen its share of volatile weather, the long-term forecast shows minimal concerns through tournament week. As long as nothing extreme pops up, Campbell expects Hartwell to show off its renowned potential.

“I think this time of year, everything is pretty stable,” Campbell said. “I don’t think the forecast is calling for any big rains or a major cold front.”

Hartwell’s home to largemouth and spotted bass, and while the former grow the biggest, the latter occasionally reach impressive proportions. For reference, Campbell said a 4-pound largemouth is considered a good one, but recent local events have proven that 6- to 8-pounders are not rare.

By comparison, a March tournament produced the lake-record spotted bass — 6 pounds, 4 ounces. Those giant spots are considerably less common than a quality largemouth, so most anglers will target the latter. However, Campbell predicts several mixed bags.

“I think the better-quality fish will come from the lower third of the lake, from takeoff and down,” he said. “That area has the bigger population of fish and a better average size. I attribute that to a better population of baitfish.”

Campbell believes it will take 16 to 17 pounds a day to make the Top 10, with a daily average of 18 to 19 pounds to win the blue trophy. Versatility, he said, will prove essential to success.

“The key will be not getting too bogged down in one area or one pattern,” Campbell said. “Guys are gonna have to mix it up, they’re going to have to cover a lot of water and adapt with the conditions. These herring fish are fickle, depending on the weather and the fishing pressure.

“Several guys are going to be on top of one another and they’re going to have to get creative and figure out some different ways to catch them. A guy that stays versatile and is ready to adapt is going to be a guy to watch out for in this one.”

Alabama’s Will Davis Jr. and Tennessee’s John Garrett are tied for the lead in the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with 270 points. Wisconsin’s Jay Przekurat sits at third with 268 points.

Tucker Smith of Alabama is leading the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 191 points, followed by Georgia’s Paul Marks with 180 points and Arkansas pro Beau Browning with 163 points.

Bassmaster LIVE coverage of the 2025 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell will be available on Bassmaster.com Days 1 and 2 starting at 8 a.m. ET and ending at 3 p.m. and will also be on Roku Sports from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Semifinal Saturday and Championship Sunday action can be seen on FS1 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. before moving to Bassmaster.com in the afternoon.

Visit Anderson is hosting this tournament.





DMF – The Three Letters You Want on Your Bait Fridge

Brian Carter
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DMF – The Three Letters You Want on Your Bait Fridge

DMF – The Three Letters You Want on Your Bait Fridge

  • FTR Industry Wire
  • April 16, 2025

Like fishers need bait, retailers need bait partners. And DMF Bait is the name to know. Here’s why.

Fishing is more than a hobby—it’s a national passion. An identity. A way of life. With over 54 million anglers across the U.S., fishing ranks as the second most popular hobby in the country. One more time because it bears repeating: the #2 hobby in the entirety of America. In 2016 alone, U.S. fishers spent more than $46 billion on fishing-related expenses. And one item makes it to the register more often than any other fishing product: live bait.

From local shops to big retailers, live bait is proven to get people in the door. Anglers make stops specifically for it—especially options like Nightcrawlers, Red Worms, Garlic Nightcrawlers, and Meal Worms, which everybody knows to look for. Ask a pro or a beginner what kind of worms they’re looking for and they’re going to tell you the same few options.

But here’s what many retailers don’t realize: selling live bait doesn’t just get anglers what they want—it boosts sales all over the store. Retailers who carry bait often see increases in purchases across snacks, drinks, and other fishing gear. These fishers are out for many hours at a time, and few leave unprepared. And you don’t need to be near a lake to see the benefits—many anglers buy bait close to home.

So, the opportunity is there. The next question is: how do you get started? And with who? It’s a big decision, and one that brings with it a lot of questions. We get it! So, we make it as easy as we can.

DMF Bait is the largest live bait distributor in the U.S., and a trusted name since 1977. A lot of fishermen look for our yellow cup. We’re family-owned and operated, and DMF distributes over 200 million worms a year. Plus, our packaging is environmentally friendly and designed with retail in mind—so it’s easy to display, handle, and store. Simple.

And DMF simplifies the process with a single point of contact, fast and reliable distribution, and good old fashioned customer service. Whether you’re a chain or a small store, working with DMF means no guesswork, no wasted product, and no missed opportunity.

Take a quick look at our best sellers:

  • Nightcrawlers – The one everybody knows.
  • Red Worms – Versatile and effective for panfish.
  • Garlic Nightcrawlers – The one everybody knows with a garlicy twist.
  • Meal Worms – Our fastest growing bait, popular amongst freshwater fishers

So how about it? Call 248-243-7606 or visit dmfbait.com/wholesale-portal to learn more about working with DMF Bait. Like every great angler needs a good worm, every great retailer needs a better bait partner. We hope to hear from you.





Tight Weights and Big Decisions on Day One at Lake Norman.

Brian Carter
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Tight Weights and Big Decisions on Day One at Lake Norman.

Tight Weights and Big Decisions on Day One at Lake Norman.

Story by Justin Brouillard | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons

The bite is steady at Stop Two of the NPFL season on Lake Norman, with most of the field putting together a five-bass limit—but quality is hard to find. The fish are chewing across the lake, but the tail end of a cold front is making it tough to find better-than-average bites.

With a jig locked in hand, veteran angler Greg Hackney’s 16-pound, 6-ounce Day One limit was enough to take the top spot. A last-minute decision to fish for a big fish from practice paid dividends, adding a 4-pound, 10-ounce largemouth to his box just 30 minutes before check-in.

In second, Greenback, Tennessee pro Ricky Robinson fished against the grain, bringing 16 pounds even to settle into the second-place spot, just six ounces behind Hackney. In third, Catawba, North Carolina angler KJ Queen relied on history to catch his 15-pound, 8-ounce limit.

Big fish of Day One – a 5-pound, 8-ounce bass – was caught by fifth-place angler Richard Cooper, anchoring his 15-pound, 2-ounce limit. Of the 114 anglers weighing a fish on day one, all but four had a limit.

Patience Key for Hackney

After a slow trek to fill a limit this morning, where most of his “better fish from practice” had vacated, the area veteran Hackney settled in and made use of a zone he felt held a good population of bass.

“This morning, I just kind of went fishing and tried to take advantage of the dark and get a big bite—without luck,” said Hackney. “Then I made a move to some fish I knew were there, but I was in a bad rotation to start, and those fish had either been caught or moved off.”

His next spot was more of a community area, a place known to hold fish. To his surprise, he had it to himself and filled a limit, with one fish going nearly 4 pounds. It was enough to calm his nerves.

“I got settled and worked through a few places I had planned to fish and the fish were there, but they were mostly new fish that had moved in,” he said. “I was rotating several baits—a swimbait and a jig mostly, both swimming and flipping produced. I had a decent limit and decided to fish for a single bass I saw on Day Two of practice.”

To his surprise, the big female was still there—and had a male with her. With only 30 minutes left before check-in, he connected with the male and worked on the female, who wasn’t locked on a bed and was circling a tree top.

“I picked up a wacky rig and tried to get it in front of her, but she kept circling and wasn’t stationary,” he added. “She swam up towards the bait but quickly turned and darted away. I figured she saw the boat and got spooked, but next thing you know, my line went tight and I fought her to the boat. It took me from a decent bag to a big bag, and that is the key to this place.”

Hackney rotated through over 30 bites on the day, with four being decent keepers and no lost fish that mattered. He’s anticipating the bite to get better over Thursday and Friday with the weather stabilizing and temperatures rising.

“We are here at a good time,” he said. “The cold fronts, I had ice on my cover in practice and it was chilly. My goal was 13 pounds today, which will keep you in the hunt here.”

Robinson Needs the Wind

Tennessee angler Ricky Robinson is likely the only angler in the field praying for wind. Throughout practice, while others were hiding from it, Robinson was using a technique he perfected back home in Tennessee for smallmouth – replicating it here on Norman to catch big spotted bass.

“Practice was fantastic for me, having never been here, and I have a way I catch them back home that I figured out would work,” he said. “Every day in practice I caught 15 or 16 pounds, and that was one here, one there.”

He located a total of 28 places to rotate through during the three-day tournament, and only fished a couple on Day One, bringing in 16 pounds of spotted bass. And if it weren’t for some misfortune, would have upped his start.

“On my second spot, I made 9 casts and landed all but two—and those two were over 3 pounds,” he said. “The wind keeps them grouped up, and when it stops blowing, they leave. Today I had enough wind, but tomorrow I’m worried—you don’t know how happy I’ll be if it blows 10 to 15 MPH tomorrow.”

Queen Keeps It Simple

Local angler KJ Queen knows Norman as well as anyone, living just up the road in Catawba. He opted to focus his practice without a rod and reel in hand, using just his eyes to scan for shallow fish. Coming into Day One, he had several fish marked, but like Hackney, a lot of them were caught or had left.

“There were not a lot of bass left in my areas where I had found them,” he said. “Really I just swapped to light line and a Queen Jig Head with a Zoom bait and pitched it around some key areas I know should have fish.”

His 15-pound, 8-ounce limit will keep him in contention as the event progresses, but he’s hopeful the rising water and water temperatures will stabilize and some new fish will move in.

“I just sort of got into some historical area and felt like a lot of fish were, or are, coming to me,” he added. “Throughout the event, more and more should move in. I filled a limit quickly with the Queen jig head, and then slowed down and was able to cull a few times.”

Top Ten:
Greg Hackney 16-6
Ricky Robinson 16-0
KJ Queen 15-8
Patrick Walters 15-5
Richard Cooper 15-2
David Williams 15-1
Derrick Snavely 14-15
Justin Adkins 14-10
Barron Adams 14-8
Jason Burroughs 14-7

DAY ONE LEADERBOARD





Veteran angler Russ Lane tops field after Day 1 at Tombigbee River

Brian Carter
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Veteran angler Russ Lane tops field after Day 1 at Tombigbee River

Alabama’s Russ Lane has taken the lead on Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Tombigbee River presented by SEVIIN with a total of 17 pounds, 10 ounces.

Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.

April 16, 2025

Veteran angler Russ Lane tops field after Day 1 at Tombigbee River

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COLUMBUS, Miss. — The last time B.A.S.S. held a tournament on the Tenn-Tom Waterway, many anglers fishing in this week’s St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Tombigbee River presented by SEVIIN weren’t yet in grade school.

That was way back in October 2004 when B.A.S.S. held a Southern Open on this 234-mile man-made waterway connecting the Tennessee River with the confluence of the Black Warrior and Tombigbee rivers.

Longtime pro Russ Lane, of Prattville, Ala., had just turned 32 when that Open was held. He didn’t finish near the money, bowing instead to tournament winner and future Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Paul Elias.

Fast forward 21 years and Lane, now 52-years-old, is the sage old hand in the derby. He’s also in the pole position after Day 1 of this Open tournament with a Day 1 limit of five bass totaling 17 pounds, 10 ounces.

That’s nearly 1 1/2 pounds more than Missouri’s Trey Schroeder, who’s in second place with his 16-9 limit after Day 1 of the three-day event.

Tenn-Tom was stingy Wednesday, with only 43 of 155 competitors weighing double-digit bags. Temperatures stayed in the low 70s throughout the day and bright skies prevailed, with more of the same predicted for the remainder of the tournament. The conditions have Tenn-Tom bass in a variety of stages, from post-spawn cruisers to fatter females still seeking to bed along the banks of the river.

Lane played the conditions best on Wednesday, saying he saw signs in practice that made him think he could put together three solid bags this week.

“Practice was productive,” he said. “I found a place that I liked. It wasn’t fishing great then, but I figured it would get better with this water getting more stable, things warming up. I rolled the dice that some females would move in, and they did today.”

Lane said he covered a lot of water Wednesday, but shared few specifics. He said he’s fishing shallow, though, and feels dialed in.

“It’s a specific deal and it seemed to hold up throughout the day,” he said. “Four or five were pre-spawn fish, I think. My area is fishing small, but there are maybe a dozen key little spots around there that I’m keying on. Other guys are fishing it. I just figured something a tad bit different today.”

Lane bagged his first bass on only his third cast Wednesday morning. It was a 3-pounder, which might seem average in many tournaments, but if multiplied by five, would have been a Top 5 total on Day 1 at Tenn-Tom.

Lane said fishing on “new water” is invigorating. He’s fished Tenn-Tom before, of course, but Bill Clinton was in the Oval Office then. In other words, there’s been some time between this tournament and his last on the waterway.

“Sometimes, you look forward to going someplace you’re not very familiar with,” he said. “It reminds me a lot of the Alabama River and some of the Coosa River lakes I grew up on. So, I feel comfortable here. But there’s other guys who fish the Coosa who are comfortable here, too. I’ll need to keep on (the fish) to stay on top.”

Schroeder, 25, caught 16-9 on Wednesday, with a 6-4 largemouth anchoring his limit. Both were a pleasant surprise, he said, after a particularly tough practice session. Schroeder said he’s running north from East Bank Landing and blind-casting to largemouth bass on the banks in as little as 1 to 2 feet of water.

“I just tried to stay positive today and keep the bait wet,” Schroeder said. “I honestly got super lucky. Late in the day, I pushed into a pond I hadn’t been in yet and caught two of my nicest fish. Hopefully there are a couple more swimming around in there tomorrow. After I caught those two, I just left.”

Schroeder suspects he may have covered too much water during practice, making it a struggle to get bites. He narrowed his focus on Day 1 of competition, and it paid off.

“I was trying to fish for (spotted bass in practice) but didn’t have any luck,” he said. “It was just too blown out, so I just resorted back to fishing shallow again and looking for some heads. There’s definitely fish that are spawning and some that are post-spawn. Some are just now getting up there and starting to make beds, too. The fish seem to be in all stages right now after the big flood we had recently.”

As for tomorrow’s strategy?

“I’m going to run north again and burn everything I’ve got to the ground,” Schroeder said.

Rounding out the Top 5 after Day 1 are third, Pennsylvania’s Grae Buck, 15-6; fourth, South Carolina’s Cole Drummond, 15-3; and fifth, Florida’s Bryson Osteen, 14-15.

Of the 155 competing anglers, only the Top 10 will compete for the tournament title on Friday. The Wednesday start is unique to this Open on Tenn-Tom  with B.A.S.S. officials wanting to wrap the three-day event on a Friday, allowing angers time to return home for Easter Sunday.  

Day 2 take-off of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Tombigbee River presented by SEVIIN is scheduled to begin at 6:15 a.m. CT, with weigh-in set for 2:15 p.m., both from East Bank Landing.

Visit Columbus, Mississippi is hosting this week’s event.

2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Tombigbee River presented by SEVIIN 4/16-4/18
Tombigbee River, Columbus  MS.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1.  Russ Lane              Prattville, AL           5  17-10  200
  Day 1: 5   17-10   
2.  Trey Schroeder         Theodosia, MO            5  16-04  199
  Day 1: 5   16-04   
3.  Grae Buck              Green Lane, PA           5  15-06  198
  Day 1: 5   15-06   
4.  Cole Drummond          Effingham, SC            5  15-03  197
  Day 1: 5   15-03   
5.  Bryson Osteen          Live Oak, FL             5  14-15  196
  Day 1: 5   14-15   
6.  Kyle Weisenburger      Columbus Grv, OH         5  14-14  195
  Day 1: 5   14-14   
7.  Cody Nichols           Fayette, AL              5  14-10  194
  Day 1: 5   14-10   
8.  Tyler Conde            Chepachet, RI            5  14-03  193
  Day 1: 5   14-03   
9.  Dylan Fogarty          Mechanicsburg, PA        5  14-02  192
  Day 1: 5   14-02   
10. Trey Swindle           Cleveland, AL            5  14-00  191
  Day 1: 5   14-00   
11. Byron Kenney Jr        Monticello, GA           5  13-10  190
  Day 1: 5   13-10   
12. John Duvall            Madison, GA              5  13-09  189
  Day 1: 5   13-09   
13. Chase Clarke           Virginia Beach, VA       3  13-07  188
  Day 1: 3   13-07   
14. Clint Pegg             Caledonia, MS            5  13-05  187
  Day 1: 5   13-05   
15. Mike McClelland        Blue Eye, MO             5  13-04  186
  Day 1: 5   13-04   
16. Connor Jacob           Peoria, IL               5  13-02  185
  Day 1: 5   13-02   
17. Micheal Stout          Gallatin, TN             5  12-06  184
  Day 1: 5   12-06   
18. Robert Johnson Jr.     Maben, MS                5  12-03  183
  Day 1: 5   12-03   
19. John Hunter Jr         Shelbyville, KY          4  12-03  182
  Day 1: 4   12-03   
20. Evan White             Roanoke Rapids, NC       5  12-01  181
  Day 1: 5   12-01   
21. Barrett Saunders       Hammond, LA              5  12-00  180
  Day 1: 5   12-00   
22. Matt Adams             Guntersville, AL         5  11-15  179
  Day 1: 5   11-15   
22. Chad Pipkens           Dewitt, MI               5  11-15  179
  Day 1: 5   11-15   
24. Bobby Bakewell         Orlando, FL              5  11-13  177
  Day 1: 5   11-13   
25. Duke Nave              Oxford, PA               5  11-12  176
  Day 1: 5   11-12   
26. Tanner Hadden          Appling, GA              4  11-12  175
  Day 1: 4   11-12   
27. Joshua Weaver          Macon, GA                5  11-10  174
  Day 1: 5   11-10   
28. Tanner Visco           Antioch, IL              5  11-09  173
  Day 1: 5   11-09   
29. Adam Rasmussen         Sturgeon Bay, WI         5  11-06  172
  Day 1: 5   11-06   
30. Cody Ross              Livingston, TX           5  11-03  171
  Day 1: 5   11-03   
30. Bo Thomas              Edwardsburg, MI          5  11-03  171
  Day 1: 5   11-03   
32. Jeffery Davis          Steens, MS               5  11-02  169
  Day 1: 5   11-02   
33. Clay Madison           Northport, AL            5  10-11  168
  Day 1: 5   10-11   
34. Josh Bragg             Fayetteville, GA         5  10-10  167
  Day 1: 5   10-10   
34. Lucas Lindsay          Auburn , AL              5  10-10  167
  Day 1: 5   10-10   
36. Tyler Campbell         Martin, GA               5  10-07  165
  Day 1: 5   10-07   
37. Jeff Oglesby           Reform, AL               5  10-06  164
  Day 1: 5   10-06   
38. Drew Boggs             Lebanon, TN              4  10-06  163
  Day 1: 4   10-06   
39. Stephen Browning       Hot Springs, AR          5  10-05  162
  Day 1: 5   10-05   
40. Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, LA          5  10-02  161
  Day 1: 5   10-02   
40. Rich Ortiz             Fort Ann, NY             5  10-02  161
  Day 1: 5   10-02   
40. Cody Stahl             Barnsville, GA           5  10-02  161
  Day 1: 5   10-02   
43. Chris Blanchette       Edisto Island, SC        5  10-01  158
  Day 1: 5   10-01   
44. Kyle Shaw              Millport, AL             5  09-15  157
  Day 1: 5   09-15   
45. Tommy Dickerson        Orange, TX               3  09-13  156
  Day 1: 3   09-13   
46. Ryan Lachniet          Gum Spring, VA           5  09-12  155
  Day 1: 5   09-12   
47. Tyler Shawger          Zanesville, OH           5  09-11  154
  Day 1: 5   09-11   
48. Matt Messer            Warfield, KY             4  09-09  153
  Day 1: 4   09-09   
49. Tyler Malone           Chunchula, AL            5  09-08  152
  Day 1: 5   09-08   
50. Aaron Yavorsky         Palm Harbor, FL          4  09-08  151
  Day 1: 4   09-08   
51. Zach Goutremout        Chaumont, NY             3  09-08  150
  Day 1: 3   09-08   
52. Brandon Coulter        Knoxville, TN            5  09-06  149
  Day 1: 5   09-06   
53. Cade Law               Elmore, AL               2  09-06  148
  Day 1: 2   09-06   
54. Allen Brooks           Canton, GA               5  09-05  147
  Day 1: 5   09-05   
55. Randall Tharp          Port St. Joe, FL         5  09-02  146
  Day 1: 5   09-02   
56. Michael Neal           Dayton, TN               4  09-02  145
  Day 1: 4   09-02   
57. Sam Hanggi             Knoxville, TN            5  09-01  144
  Day 1: 5   09-01   
58. Jason Carpenter        Castle Pines, CO         5  09-00  143
  Day 1: 5   09-00   
58. Alex Wetherell         Middletown, CT           5  09-00  143
  Day 1: 5   09-00   
60. Jonathan Dietz         Corry, PA                4  08-13  141
  Day 1: 4   08-13   
61. Christian Nash         Allons, TN               5  08-12  140
  Day 1: 5   08-12   
62. Tristan McCormick      Bon Aqua, TN             4  08-12  139
  Day 1: 4   08-12   
63. Timmy Ming             Louisville, MS           4  08-11  138
  Day 1: 4   08-11   
64. Derrick Sadlowski      Monaca, PA               4  08-10  137
  Day 1: 4   08-10   
65. Donavan Carson         Bluff City, TN           3  08-09  136
  Day 1: 3   08-09   
66. Nicholas Mandes        North Stonington, CT     5  08-08  135
  Day 1: 5   08-08   
67. John Anderson          Bay Springs, MS          5  08-05  134
  Day 1: 5   08-05   
68. Dillon Falardeau       Hixson, TN               4  08-03  133
  Day 1: 4   08-03   
69. Ryan Broughman         Corapeake, NC            4  07-15  132
  Day 1: 4   07-15   
70. Jake Maddux            Roswell, GA              4  07-14  131
  Day 1: 4   07-14   
71. Billy Gilbert          Hamburg, NY              4  07-13  130
  Day 1: 4   07-13   
71. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              4  07-13  130
  Day 1: 4   07-13   
73. Brooks Anderson        Marietta, GA             2  07-13  128
  Day 1: 2   07-13   
74. Jaden Parrish          Liberty, TX              3  07-12  127
  Day 1: 3   07-12   
75. Alec Morrison          Peru, NY                 5  07-11  126
  Day 1: 5   07-11   
76. Kyle Austin            Ridgeville, SC           4  07-10  125
  Day 1: 4   07-10   
77. Hunter Eubanks         Landrum , SC             4  07-10  124
  Day 1: 4   07-10   
78. Brady Vernon           Sterrett, AL             3  07-10  123
  Day 1: 3   07-10   
79. Tucker Shaw            Millport, AL             4  07-03  122
  Day 1: 4   07-03   
80. Laker Howell           Guntersville, AL         4  06-15  121
  Day 1: 4   06-15   
81. Luke Plunkett          Pinson, AL               3  06-11  120
  Day 1: 3   06-11   
82. Brett Hite             Phoenix, AZ              4  06-10  119
  Day 1: 4   06-10   
83. Garrett McWilliams     Florence, MS             3  06-08  118
  Day 1: 3   06-08   
84. Ryan Michl             Newton, IL               2  06-05  117
  Day 1: 2   06-05   
85. Blake Bailey           Petal, MS                3  06-04  116
  Day 1: 3   06-04   
86. Casey Smith            Victor, NY               3  06-02  115
  Day 1: 3   06-02   
87. John Goul              Philadelphia, MS         3  06-00  114
  Day 1: 3   06-00   
88. Lance Jackson          Starkville, MS           3  05-13  113
  Day 1: 3   05-13   
89. Jeremy Sadowski        Voluntown, CT            3  05-07  112
  Day 1: 3   05-07   
90. Hunter  Davidson       Reform, AL               2  05-06  111
  Day 1: 2   05-06   
91. Dylan Akins            Flowery Branch, GA       4  05-05  110
  Day 1: 4   05-05   
92. Parker Guy             Appling, GA              3  05-02  109
  Day 1: 3   05-02   
93. River Lee              Diboll, TX               3  05-01  108
  Day 1: 3   05-01   
94. Darold Gleason         Leesville, LA            3  04-13  107
  Day 1: 3   04-13   
95. John Pollard           Eclectic, AL             3  04-11  106
  Day 1: 3   04-11   
96. TJ McKenzie            Myrtle Beach, SC         2  04-10  105
  Day 1: 2   04-10   
97. William Kronander      Brownsville, PA          2  04-09  104
  Day 1: 2   04-09   
97. Wyatt Wisian           Ardmore, OK              2  04-09  104
  Day 1: 2   04-09   
99. Hayden Gaddis          Dandridge, TN            2  04-07  102
  Day 1: 2   04-07   
100. Cody Detweiler         Guntersville, AL         1  04-06  101
  Day 1: 1   04-06   
101. Blaine Bunney          Claremore, OK            3  04-05  100
  Day 1: 3   04-05   
102. David Dove             Columbus, MS             2  04-05   99
  Day 1: 2   04-05   
102. Freddy  Palmer         Estill Springs, TN       2  04-05   99
  Day 1: 2   04-05   
104. Easton Lindus          Woodville, WI            2  04-03   97
  Day 1: 2   04-03   
105. Brayden Rakes          Winston Salem, NC        3  04-02   96
  Day 1: 3   04-02   
106. Dave Miller            Stratford, CT            2  04-00   95
  Day 1: 2   04-00   
107. Lance Owen             Greer, SC                2  03-15   94
  Day 1: 2   03-15   
108. Parker Mott            Winter Garden, FL        2  03-10   93
  Day 1: 2   03-10   
108. Lucas Murphy           West Columbia, MI        2  03-10   93
  Day 1: 2   03-10   
110. Shannon Abbott         Louisville, TN           2  03-09   91
  Day 1: 2   03-09   
110. Brandon McMillan       Clewiston, FL            2  03-09   91
  Day 1: 2   03-09   
112. Yukihiro Sawamura      Harker Heights, TX       3  03-08   89
  Day 1: 3   03-08   
113. Tommy Wood             Peregian Springs AUSTRA  2  03-06   88
  Day 1: 2   03-06   
114. Mike Penney            Cameron, NC              1  03-06   87
  Day 1: 1   03-06   
115. Michael Spaulding Jr.  Dundee, MI               2  03-05   86
  Day 1: 2   03-05   
116. Mark Guhne             Hixson, TN               2  03-04   85
  Day 1: 2   03-04   
117. Colt Blanton           Piketon, OH              2  03-03   84
  Day 1: 2   03-03   
118. Clint Leonard Jr       Saint Cloud, FL          2  03-00   83
  Day 1: 2   03-00   
119. Chris Lighthizer       Zanesville, OH           2  02-15   82
  Day 1: 2   02-15   
120. Ryan Salzman           Huntsville, AL           1  02-14   81
  Day 1: 1   02-14   
120. Mikey Weems            Hull, TX                 1  02-14   81
  Day 1: 1   02-14   
122. Teb Jones              Yalaha, MS               2  02-13   79
  Day 1: 2   02-13   
123. James Chandler         Liberty, TX              1  02-12   78
  Day 1: 1   02-12   
124. Kristine Fischer       Spring City, TN          1  02-06   77
  Day 1: 1   02-06   
125. William Gully          Linden, AL               1  02-05   76
  Day 1: 1   02-05   
126. Lucas Toliver          Paw Paw, MI              1  02-03   75
  Day 1: 1   02-03   
127. Tommy Dunaway          Havana, FL               1  02-02   74
  Day 1: 1   02-02   
128. Colden Baker           Ridgeway, SC             1  02-01   73
  Day 1: 1   02-01   
128. Jacob Thompkins        Myrtle Beach, SC         1  02-01   73
  Day 1: 1   02-01   
130. Erik Brztowski         Lemont, IL               1  02-00   71
  Day 1: 1   02-00   
131. Johnathan Crossland    Chapin, SC               1  01-11   70
  Day 1: 1   01-11   
132. Shayne Berlo           Mclean, VA               1  01-10   69
  Day 1: 1   01-10   
132. Chris McCarthy         Woonsocket, RI           1  01-10   69
  Day 1: 1   01-10   
132. Dylan Welton           Middleville, MI          1  01-10   69
  Day 1: 1   01-10   
135. Nate Harden            Niles, MI                1  01-09   66
  Day 1: 1   01-09   
136. Troy Coney             Owego, NY                1  01-08   65
  Day 1: 1   01-08   
137. Woo Daves              Spring Grove, VA         1  01-06   64
  Day 1: 1   01-06   
137. Anthony Garcia         Los Angeles, CA          1  01-06   64
  Day 1: 1   01-06   
137. Caleb Hudson           Lincolnton, GA           1  01-06   64
  Day 1: 1   01-06   
140. Brian Mullaney         Ijamsville, MD           1  01-05   61
  Day 1: 1   01-05   
141. Rick Greene            Ocala, FL                1  01-02   60
  Day 1: 1   01-02   
142. William Baker          Ridgeway, SC             0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
142. Destry Ford            Tuscaloosa, AL           0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
142. Scott Fowler           Ellijay, GA              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
142. Josh Gauthier          Petawawa CANADA          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
142. Charlie Hartley        Grove City, OH           0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
142. Kyle Healey            Almonte CANADA           0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
142. Tim Jaynes             Ethelsville, AL          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
142. Kristian Johnson       Belvidere, NJ            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
142. Chris Kingree          Inverness, FL            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
142. Phillip Kroll          Otego, NY                0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
142. Ryan Matylewicz        Tunkhannock, PA          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
142. Anastasia Patterson    Sumter, SC               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
142. John Polasini Iii      Leland, MS               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
142. Collin Smith           Honea Path, SC           0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1        53       480      1073-12
———————————-
          53       480      1073-12





James River set to impress for B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier 

Brian Carter
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James River set to impress for B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier 

The Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at James River presented by Lowrance will be held in Richmond, Va., April 23-25.

Photo by Grant Moxley/B.A.S.S.

April 16, 2025

James River set to impress for B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier 

Nation_Mercury_Lowrance_4C_Raster.png

RICHMOND, Va. — A vast playing field awaits anglers competing in the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at James River presented by Lowrance, but Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro Ed Loughran believes plenty of bass will be brought to the scales throughout the three-day event.

“It is a great time of year to fish there,” the 2024 Elite Series champion said. “People are going to catch a ton of bass. But, you are going to have to get those couple of bigger bites to reach the 20-pound mark. I would be surprised if it didn’t take around 60 pounds to win.”

Tournament days are scheduled for April 23-25 with daily takeoffs at 6:30 a.m. ET from Osborne Park and Boat Landing. Competitors will begin weighing in at 2:30 p.m. at the same venue. Anglers will be vying for a spot in the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at the Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance scheduled for Oct. 22-25 in La Crosse, Wis.

The James River has become a regular stop on the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, hosting everything from St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN, to Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops events as well as Strike King Bassmaster High School Series events. In 2023, James Willoughby and Jacob Pfundt from the University of Montevallo claimed a Bassmaster College Series title at the Virginia fishery with a two-day total of 40 pounds, 9 ounces. 

This Nation tournament starts nearly two years to the day as that College Series tournament, and several of the same scenarios will likely play out on the tidal system. 

Loughran expects the largemouth in the system to be somewhere in their spawning cycle. Some bass could still be on bed, but the Richmond, Va., native anticipates that most of the largemouth will be postspawn. 

“There should be some fish still hanging around spawning,” he said. “A bunch of them will be postspawn and guarding fry. You will be able to do a bunch of different things. The James this time of year will be an all-shallow deal. I don’t think ’Scoping is going to be a big player.”

For the most part, largemouth will be hanging around a variety of shallow cover including cypress trees, laydowns and lily pads. Loughran also anticipates anglers being able to find success in any part of the river, from the gravel pits close to takeoff all the way down to the Chickahominy River.

There is also a variety of forage for the bass in the system, from gizzard and threadfin shad to white and yellow perch. Expect power fishing baits like spinnerbaits, ChatterBaits and Texas rigs to all play a big role in this event. 

“You are going to see a lot of 16- to 17-pound bags in this tournament,” he said. “There will be a lot of different things happening. You’ll be able to catch stuff out of brushpiles. You’ll be able to go down the bank. You’ll be able to fish cypress flats.”

While the tide cycle is always a factor in some way, Loughran believes anglers should be able to catch bass at any time, not just during an outgoing tide. 

Richmond Region Tourism and Visit Henrico County are hosting the event.





DAIWA: FFS Rod Debut

Brian Carter
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DAIWA: FFS Rod Debut
FFS Rod Reveal 
DAIWA’s new Power-Scope rod series and a wealth of other new 2025 products on display at D&R Sports annual spring fishing and boating event
FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (April 16, 2025) – When you ask about any angler in Michigan (and surrounding states) what’s the most popular place in Kalamazoo, the answer won’t always be one of the popular local breweries – it will be D&R Sports Center. The VanDam family tackle and marine operations will have anglers of all freshwater pursuits converging this weekend – April 18 and 19 – for the shop’s annual spring fishing and boat show. The DAIWA crew will be on hand both days showcasing what’s new for this coming season, along with an assortment of ‘value-added’ bonuses on select DAIWA tackle purchases.
NEW DAIWA KAGE SV TW 150
“We always look forward to supporting the D&R event, all in keeping with our efforts talking tackle with anglers in their own backyards,” said DAIWA’s Marketing Manager, Marc Mills. “Plus, we’re especially excited that this event will the first since our recent announcement about Jonathon VanDam being part of DAIWA’s pro bass fishing team. JVD obviously could use any rods and reels he wants, so we’re thrilled he’ll be using our dealer-exclusive KAGE tackle in bass tournaments this coming year and beyond.”
NEW DAIWA TATULA 150
Along with highlighting the KAGE Premium Bass Rods (the next version lineup introduced at ICAST 2024) and reels at the D&R Sports show, DAIWA will continue its ‘We’ve Got Your Bass Covered’ focus by showcasing its recently introduced forward facing sonar Power-Scope spinning and casting rods, new TATULA 150 and 200 baitcasting reels, and the latest in braided line technology from DAIWA partner, XBRAID.“We’re excited about DAIWA’s extra involvement in our spring show, and of course, I’m personally excited about my new relationship with such a respected fishing tackle brand,” said VanDam. “Of special note is that the DAIWA crew is bringing a slew of its special AFTCO/TATULA tech long sleeve hoodie t-shirts that will be given away with the purchase of any TATULA rod or reel. And the shop has plenty of inventory so you can buy the right one for your fishing needs.”
At the event, JVD will be joined by a long list of outstanding bass anglers conducting seminars on both Friday and Saturday. Those attending can expect to see Bass Fishing Hall of Fame inductees Kevin VanDam and Mark Zona, along with DAIWA pro Ish Monroe talking about frog fishing. For further details on the event, visit https://www.facebook.com/DandRSports. For more info on new for 2025 bass tackle and more from DAIWA, visit https://DAIWA.us/collections/2025-showcase.
For DAIWA’s latest color catalog and/or information on DAIWA dealers in your area, call DAIWA’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: [email protected]. The URL for DAIWA’s web site is daiwa.us





Boating Incident at Lake Norman — No Life-Threatening Injuries

Brian Carter
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Boating Incident at Lake Norman — No Life-Threatening Injuries

Boating Incident at Lake Norman — No Life-Threatening Injuries

Huntersville, North Carolina—At approximately 7:30 a.m. ET, emergency personnel responded to a boating accident on Lake Norman involving two vessels, including one operated by National Professional Fishing League angler Jessie Ayers of Antlers, Oklahoma. All individuals involved were accounted for and evacuated for medical evaluation. No life-threatening injuries were reported.

The cause and circumstances of the accident will be investigated by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and other appropriate authorities.

“We’re extremely grateful that this incident did not result in any severe injuries,” said NPFL President Brad Fuller. “Our primary concern is always for the health and safety of our anglers and anyone else using the water. We take boating safety extremely seriously.”

NPFL Rule 10 requires that competitors wear personal floatation devices whenever the outboard motor is running and in gear, and competition boats must be equipped with emergency ignition shut-off devices designed to stop the outboard if the driver is separated from the driver’s seat. In addition, competitors must comply with all state boating and fishing regulations.

More details of this incident will be forthcoming as they become available.





Major League Fishing Statement Regarding Boating Accident on Lewis Smith Lake

Brian Carter
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Major League Fishing Statement Regarding Boating Accident on Lewis Smith Lake

CULLMAN, Ala. (April 16, 2025) – Major League Fishing (MLF) confirms that a serious boating accident occurred this morning on Lewis Smith Lake during Day 2 of the Tackle Warehouse Invitational. The incident involved one of the event’s competing anglers, Flint Davis of Leesburg, Georgia.

Emergency personnel and local authorities responded immediately and remain on scene managing the situation.

Out of respect for those involved, and to ensure the accuracy of all information, no further details will be released at this time. MLF is working closely with law enforcement and emergency officials. Additional updates will be provided as they are confirmed by the appropriate authorities.

Our thoughts, prayers and deepest concern are with everyone affected by this tragic incident.

About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
 





NPFL and Humminbird Form Strategic Partnership

Brian Carter
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NPFL and Humminbird Form Strategic Partnership

NPFL and Humminbird Form Strategic Partnership

WILKESVILLE, Ohio—The National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) and Johnson Outdoors announce a new partnership with Humminbird, the industry leader in fishing electronics. The partnership will include branding and a program of contingency awards for NPFL anglers using certain Humminbird products.

Brad Fuller, President of the NPFL, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “It’s exciting and an honor to be working with Johnson Outdoors. When we decided to prohibit real-time imaging units [often referred to as “forward-facing sonar”] last September, we hoped that the industry would understand that we were making a decision in favor of our audience rather than a decision against technology. We’re thrilled that Humminbird understood that and saw the opportunity to promote their array of technologies to best match the diverse needs of fishing through the NPFL.”

The partnership includes branding of certain NPFL elements and a contingency program that pays $1,000 to the highest-ranking finisher equipped with Humminbird XPLORE technology in six regular season NPFL tournaments. At NPFL Stop 1 at Santee Cooper Lakes, that angler was Bill Lowen, who finished in fourth place.

Jeff Kolodzinski, Brand Manager of Fishing for Johnson Outdoors, commented on his company’s support of professional fishing: “We sponsor all three of the principal bass leagues, and we’re thrilled to partner with NPFL. The NPFL has staked out a position that differentiates it from the other organizations and we appreciate that it represents an approach that appeals to many fans and anglers. There’s more to fishing—and fishing electronics—than forward-facing sonar.

“Fishing is and has always been a multi-dimensional sport. Successful anglers are required to master a variety of fish-finding skills, which is why the NPFL offers Humminbird a great opportunity to highlight our complete array of fish-finding technologies in the form of the new XPLORE series. And, with Minn Kota being part of the same company as Humminbird, anglers can level-up their experience with a Minn Kota for the best in trolling motors to stay on the fish.

“Our new XPLORE Series is the finest fish finder platform ever offered by Humminbird,” says Kolodzinski. “The interface is fully compatible with our live sonar [MEGA Live 2], XPLORE offers plug-and-play compatibility with Minn Kota trolling motors and Raptor/Talon anchors, works with LakeMaster and CoastMaster charts, syncs up to 10,000 waypoints through our new waypoint management system, and is highly customizable and user-friendly. It’s all part of our commitment to helping pros and enthusiasts catch more fish and have more fun.”





White Hall’s Cole Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Ouachita

Brian Carter
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White Hall’s Cole Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Ouachita
Boater Brennan Cole of White Hall, Arkansas, and co-angler Takaaki Kojima of Temecula, California.

California’s Kojima Tops Co-Angler Division

ROYAL, Ark. (April 14, 2025) – Boater Brennan Cole of White Hall, Arkansas, caught a five-bass limit weighing 20 pounds, 2 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine at Lake Ouachita . The tournament was the second event of the season for the BFL Arkie Division. Cole earned $6,616, including the lucrative $2,500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.

Cole went old school on Lake Ouachita, catching his fish on the old “ball and chain” – a Carolina rig.

“I had a tough day of practice yesterday flipping bushes,” he said. “It was a bite here and there. I picked up a Carolina rig late yesterday and pulled up on one main-lake point and caught a couple 3-pounders. I decided that’s what I was going to run today. I ran main-lake points all day, chucking a Carolina rig.”

The best points were steep. If he had his boat parked 30 or so yards off the bank, the bottom beneath him might be 50 feet deep. Cole then lobbed his rig up on the point and dragged it down the sides and off the end.

On his rig, he used a Zoom Brush Hog or Midsize Brush Hog, primarily in watermelon red flake. The most exciting moment came at 11:40 a.m. – Cole verified the time – when he landed an 8-pound, 6-ounce bass that earned him the Berkley Big Bass award and its $475 prize.

“I fired my rig up there and thought it was a bream bite,” he recalled. “I set the hook and told my co-angler this ain’t no bass, but if it is, it’s a head. She came up and jumped three times. With a Carolina rig, that’s kind of a death trap, but I got her in the boat. I went from about 10 pounds with four fish to 18-something.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

1st:          Brennan Cole, White Hall, Ark., five bass, 20-2 $6,616 (includes $2,500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd:        Austin Rose, Mena, Ark., five bass, 15-14, $1,820
3rd:         Gerard Johnson, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 15-1, $1,214
4th:         Blake Martin, Dardanelle, Ark., five bass, 14-4, $1,014
4th:         Justin Bean, Benton, Ark., five bass, 14-4, $889
6th:         Danny Brustrom, Cave City, Ark., five bass, 13-13, $668
7th:         Matt Wood, Jessieville, Ark., five bass, 13-10, $607
8th:         Brian Bean, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 13-3, $546
9th:         Keith Green, Arkadelphia, Ark., five bass, 13-2, $485
10th:       Larry Nixon, Quitman, Ark., five bass, 13-1, $425

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Cole caught a bass that weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $475.



Takaaki Kojima of Temecula, California, won the co-angler division and $1,820 Saturday, after bringing three bass to the scale that totaled 11 pounds, 4 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:          Takaaki Kojima, Temecula, Calif., three bass, 11-4, $1,820
2nd:        Joseph Aguilar, Bauxite, Ark., three bass, 9-3, $910
3rd:         Don Billiot, Hot Springs Village, Ark., three bass, 7-14, $607
4th:         Dulin Smith, Little Rock, Ark., three bass, 7-13, $425
5th:         Gene Mitchell, Stuart, Okla., three bass, 7-8, $364
6th:         Philip James, Benton, Ark., three bass, 7-5, $318
6th:         Christian Knight, Alexander, Ark., three bass, 7-5, $318
8th:         Eian Odle, Willow Springs, Mo., three bass, 6-11, $273
9th:         William Brady Rutledge, Mount Ida, Ark., three bass, 6-8, $243
10th:       Jason Phillips, Rison, Ark., three bass, 6-0, $212

Kojima also earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $237, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 3 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After two events, Brady Horton of Clinton, Arkansas, now leads the Fishing Clash Arkie Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 485 points, while Joseph Aguilar of Bauxite, Arkansas, leads the Fishing Clash Arkie Division Co-Angler of the Year race with 487 points.

The next event for BFL Arkie Division anglers will be held April 26, at Greers Ferry Lake out of Greers Ferry, Arkansas. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.

The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 24-25 BFL Regional tournament on Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Oklahoma. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.

The 2025 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 134 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 60 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying tournament winners, will advance to one of 12 BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top three, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2025 BFL All-American will take place May 29-31, 2025, at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is hosted by hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.

Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Li Time Batteries, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters and YETI.

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





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