Roger Fitzpatrick Wins 2025 Toyota Series Championship on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees
Missouri pro reels in $200K with three-day total of 41 pounds, 1 ounce, MLF Italy’s Giovanni Ceccarelli wins co-angler division
GROVE, Okla. (Nov. 8, 2025) – The final day of the 2025 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats
on Grand Lake will go down as one the tightest of all-time. Entering Championship Saturday, four Ozark stalwarts were ounces apart – in theory shooting it out with jigs and spinnerbaits for the win. Then, the power-fishing bite crumbled, and Drew Gill, Tucker Smith and Riley Harris blitzed up the leaderboard, picking off fish after fish with forward-facing sonar.
At weigh-in, Smith and Gill both weighed over 14 pounds, by far the biggest bags of the day. But, with 11 pounds, 7 ounces, Roger Fitzpatrick had just enough to hang on, moving up from second to first with 41-1 and beating Gill for the win via tiebreak, which is previous day’s standing first and then heaviest single-day catch, both of which favored the veteran angler.
For the win, which is his 13th with MLF in nearly 250 events, Fitzpatrick took home $200,000 plus a berth in REDCREST 2026 – which just so happens to be at Table Rock Lake, where he’s won twice before with MLF. Though Fitzpatrick had come oh so close many times in the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American, he’d never won it or a Toyota Series event until now. Throw in a Fishing Clash Angler of the Year title in the Plains Division, and it’s clear that Fitzpatrick waited until age 61 to have his best year yet.
Link to Photo Gallery of Toyota Series Championship Day 3 Highlights
Link to Photo Gallery of Toyota Series Championship Weigh-In
As someone who has been cashing checks with MLF/FLW since 1995, Fitzpatrick has plenty of experience when it comes to winning, but he’s probably going to need to fish for another 30 years or so to replicate this one.
“When I pulled into the buoys down here, I was hoping I would stay in the Top 10,” he said. “I was never nervous all day. The whole afternoon, I thought I needed at least one good fish to have a shot at this. I left biting fish on some docks – they weren’t big, but I had two fish in there that weren’t 2 pounds. When it was all said and done and was this close, I thought I probably messed up and didn’t cull those 2-pounders out.”
At the docks, with anglers bagging fish and swapping reports, Fitzpatrick realized that instead of a definite drop in the standings, he might have done enough to win, or at least make it close.
“People started saying how tough it was, and nobody had anything,” he said. “Toby Hartsell watched the livestream, and he said, ‘It’s going to be closer than you think.’”
On stage with weighmaster Chris Jones and Gill, Fitzpatrick watched the readout on the scale with rapt attention as Jones took his hand off the bag.
“Whenever he threw it down, it went 11-8, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 – it wasn’t going 11-6,” said Fitzpatrick. “I was hoping he’d lock it at 11-8. I knew Justin [Luetkemeyer] didn’t have it. But when it locked in at 11-7, I was like ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’”
With the top four finishers all separated by just 4 ounces, it’s almost certain that each of them (and perhaps others farther down the standings) lost a fish or two that cost them the ounces they needed to separate themselves from the rest of the pack, Fitzpatrick included. But regardless of the outcome, Fitzpatrick isn’t one to sweat the small stuff.
“I can’t believe there’s a God that’s so big that he listens to a prayer of a fisherman,” he said. “I give it all to Him. You can’t stop it if He’s in control. You can’t stop it. There’s no doubt He had His hand in every bit of it.”
The amount of money won on a spinnerbait in Oklahoma and the Ozark region is pretty much incalculable, but $200,000 was added to the tally this week. Near the end of practice, Fitzpatrick hit upon the pattern, which happened to be firmly in his wheelhouse.
“I got keyed in at 4 o’clock the last day of practice,” he said. “I pulled into a spot at the mouth of Wolf Creek out by the bridge, and I caught a 5-pounder on a spinnerbait. I thought, ‘That was a fluke.’ So, I went a little further, and I caught another one. I put a little rubber deal on my hook to not catch anymore, and I got two more bites. One of them didn’t drop it; he was a big one. My plan, until then, was fishing at the dam, 20-foot boat docks with a 3/4-ounce jig. That’s what I was all-in on until this happened.”
After a day of thinking it over, Fitzpatrick decided to abandon the deep docks. Instead, he spooled up some 7-foot, 4-inch St. Croix Legend Xtreme rods with 20-pound P-Line Fluorocarbon on 8.1:1 Daiwa Tatula reels and tied on a few 1-ounce Omega double-willow spinnerbaits with a big No. 7 blade to imitate gizzard shad.
Fishing shade and cables, Fitzpatrick went to work, poking his boat in and out of the many docks that Grand Lake offers.
“If it had a cable behind the dock, it was almost automatic,” he said. “They were laying on those cables. It’s an Ozark thing. The 1-ounce also was key. Late in the day, the first two days, they got real shallow; I probably didn’t need a 1-ounce. But until that time, they were out in 5 feet of water, and that 1-ounce hugs the bottom – it immediately goes to the bottom. I could cover more water with it.”
Fishing mostly near Wolf Creek, Fitzpatrick made it up into the Elk River a little as well. On the final day, he bolstered his bag with a few fish caught on a 1/2-ounce Omega Flippin’ Jig trailered with a Bojangle Baits Nos Craw.
For most of the final day, the conditions weren’t optimal for Fitzpatrick’s bite, even though the ‘Scope-friendly calm in the morning gave way to pre-frontal winds in the afternoon.
“It didn’t get here soon enough, I don’t think,” he said. “We had a morning where it was just glass out there, and it was high pressure for the most part. I had several fish nip the blades and just not eat it. This afternoon, I thought I might catch them because it did start to blow, but it was blowing a different direction than the banks I wanted to fish. When I caught them, it was a southeast wind, and it was blowing into one pocket where I started, where I caught several big fish, and the wind did not hit it at all today.”
Still, old-school Ozark skills got it done once again on Grand Lake. Now, Fitzpatrick already has his wheels spinning for REDCREST this coming spring. There, the veteran Ozark angler will have a chance to put on a show on the biggest stage yet.
“April can be touchy; it’s probably going to be close to the spawn, if not spawn,” he said. “So, it’s pretty much anybody’s game. I don’t think it’ll be a ‘Scopin’ deal so much. I’m looking forward to it. I can’t imagine I get to go. It’s outstanding.”
The top 25 pros at the 2025 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats on Grand Lake finished:
1st: Roger Fitzpatrick, Eldon, Mo., 15 bass, 41-1, $200,000
2nd: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 15 bass, 41-1, $50,000
3rd: Tucker Smith, Birmingham, Ala., 15 bass, 40-15, $40,000
4th: Riley Harris, Orange, Texas, 15 bass, 40-13, $35,000
5th: Adam Boehle, Warrenton, Mo., 15 bass, 40-2, $21,000 (includes $1,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus)
6th: Hayden O’Barr, Scottsboro, Ala., 15 bass, 40-1, $24,000
7th: Chad Mrazek, Montgomery, Texas, 15 bass, 40-0, $23,000
8th: Banks Shaw, Harrison, Tenn., 15 bass, 39-3, $12,000
9th: Justin Luetkemeyer, Osage Beach, Mo., 15 bass, 38-14, $11,000
10th: Eli Brumnett, Wagoner, Okla., 15 bass, 38-11, $20,000
11th: Buddy Benson, Dahlonega, Ga., 15 bass, 38-10, $4,500
12th: Benjamin Travis, Guntersville, Ala., 15 bass, 38-5, $4,500
13th: Jack Daniel Williams, Kingsport, Tenn., 15 bass, 38-0, $4,500
14th: Broderick Luckey, Lynchburg, Va., 15 bass, 37-13, $4,500
15th: Bradley Sullivan, Shawnee, Okla., 15 bass, 37-10, $4,500
16th: Lee Livesay, Longview, Texas, 15 bass, 37-9, $3,500
17th: Dillon Falardeau, Hixson, Tenn., 15 bass, 37-4, $3,500
18th: Chance Shelby, Denham Springs, La., 15 bass, 37-2, $3,500
19th: T.J. Martin, Claremore, Okla., 15 bass, 37-0, $3,500
20th: Greg Bohannan, Bentonville, Ark., 14 bass, 36-15, $3,500
21st: Brody Campbell, Oxford, Ohio, 15 bass, 36-13, $3,000
22nd: Travis Pitt, Niceville, Fla., 14 bass, 36-8, $3,000
23rd: Carter Nutt, Nashville, Tenn., 15 bass, 36-1, $3,000
24th: Tyler Weberg, Eugene, Mo., 13 bass, 34-1, $3,000
25th: Shane Long, Willard, Mo., 11 bass, 31-7, $3,000
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The top-finishing boater from each division (not including the winner) earned a $10,000 bonus. Those anglers included:
Central: Hayden O’Barr, Scottsboro, Ala., 6th place, $10,000
Northern: Tucker Smith, Birmingham, Ala., 3rd place, $10,000
Plains: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 2nd place, $10,000
Southern: Chad Mrazek, Montgomery, Texas, 7th place, $10,000
Southwestern: Riley Harris, Orange, Texas, 4th place, $10,000
Wild Card: Eli Brumnett, Wagoner, Okla., 10th place, $10,000
International: Luca Vittorio Della Ciana, Perugia, Italy, 46th place, $10,000
Overall, there were 118 bass weighing 267 pounds, 1 ounce caught by 25 pros Saturday. The catch included 21 five-bass limits.
MLF Italy’s Giovanni Ceccarelli brought four bass to the scale weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce to win the co-angler division of the 2025 Toyota Series Championship and earn a new Phoenix 518 pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard engine, worth $33,500.
Ceccarelli’s three-day total of 14 bass weighing 27-2 earned him the victory by a 14-ounce margin over second-place co-angler Jeremy Bouldin, who weighed in 10 bass weighing 26-4 over the three days of competition, good for the second-place prize of $12,600.
The top 25 co-anglers at the 2025 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats on Grand Lake finished:
1st: Giovanni Ceccarelli, Rimini, Italy, 14 bass, 27-2, Phoenix 518 pro w/115-hp outboard
2nd: Jeremy Bouldin, Kings Mountain, N.C., 10 bass, 26-4, $12,600
3rd: Michael Luckey, Lynchburg, Va., 11 bass, 25-2, $10,000
4th: James Cobbs, Vinemont, Ala., 12 bass, 24-14, $7,500
5th: Glenn Hall, Wellsville, N.Y., 11 bass, 24-4, $5,000
6th: Jakob Labelle, Hinesburg, Vt., 11 bass, 24-2, $4,000
7th: Scott Standafer, Milford, Ohio, 12 bass, 23-13, $3,500
8th: Tommy Pritchard, Bargersville, Ind., 10 bass, 21-5, $3,000
9th: Ben Burk, Norman, Okla., nine bass, 20-11, $2,500
10th: Kade Wesner, Lancaster, Pa., 11 bass, 19-12, $2,000
11th: Brent Jones, Okeana, Ohio, eight bass, 19-6, $1,800
12th: Les Brandenburg, Springfield, Mo., 10 bass, 19-5, $1,500
13th: Jason Wiley, Swainsboro, Ga., nine bass, 18-9, $1,500
14th: Joshua Paul, Oliver Springs, Tenn., six bass, 17-9, $1,500
15th: Will Lancett, Jacksonville, Ark., eight bass, 17-6, $1,500
16th: Mark King, Gurdon, Ark., nine bass, 17-0, $1,000
17th: Alex Moore, Chester, Ill., seven bass, 16-13, $1,000
18th: Kenny Manning, Bethpage, Tenn., seven bass, 16-12, $1,000
19th: Kyle Malone, Troy, Ohio, eight bass, 16-9, $1,000
20th: Ryan Steinhoff, Beulah, Colo., eight bass, 16-4, $1,000
21st: DJ Pugh, Overland Park, Kan., eight bass, 15-10, $900
22nd: Pop Catalin, Cookeville, Tenn., eight bass, 15-10, $900
23rd: Brian Durham, Dinwiddie, Va., seven bass, 15-6, $900
24th: Noah Dickneite, Freeburg, Mo., seven bass, 13-8, $900
25th: David Johnson, Memphis, Tenn., seven bass, 13-3, $900
The 2025 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats at Grand Lake was hosted by the City of Grove and the Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau . The three-day, no-entry-fee championship event featured more than 350 pros and co-anglers from around the world competing for the top cash award of up to $235,000, plus numerous contingency bonuses.
The 2025 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats will air on VICE Sports January 4 and January 11, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET.
The full field of anglers competed on Days 1 and 2 of the event, with the top 25 pros and top 25 co-anglers based on cumulative weight from the first two days continuing to the third and final day. The 2025 Toyota Series champions were determined by the heaviest three-day total weight.
The 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consisted of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and Southwestern – each holding three regular-season events, along with the MLF International division and the Wild Card. The highest finishing pro from each division at the championship will claim a $10,000 bonus. The bonus will go to the second-highest finishing pro in the division represented by the overall champion.
The 2025 Toyota Series Championship field featured the top 25 pros, top 25 co-anglers and tournament winners from each of the five divisions; the top 25 pros and 25 co-anglers from the Wild Card division plus tournament winners; the highest finishing boater and co-angler from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Regional and the TBF at the All-American; the top three teams from the College Fishing National Championship; High School Fishing National Champions; TBF National Champions; and MLF International anglers from Canada, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.
Missouri’s Justin Luetkemeyer Takes Lead at the Toyota Series Championship on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees
Missouri pro leads by slim 3-ounce margin, Top 25 set for final-day in competition for up to $235,000
GROVE, Okla. (Nov. 7, 2025) – If you want some indication of how tough and volatile the fishing is on Grand Lake right now, you need only look at the leaderboard turnover. On Day 2 of the 2025 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats , only four pros in the Top 10 from Day 1 managed to stay there, and the top two pros fell out of it entirely.
Moving up into the lead, Justin Luetkemeyer weighed 15 pounds, 5 ounces on Day 2 for a 29-13 total, while Roger Fitzpatrick moved into second with 15-2 to bring his total to 29-0. In third, Greg Bohannan tallied 29-5, and even Lee Livesay in 10th is within 2 pounds of the lead.
Link to Photo Gallery of Toyota Series Championship Day 2 Highlights
The clear trend through two days is that it’s good to be from the Ozarks. While proficiency on Ozark waters was not a guarantee of success, seven of the top 15 pros are clearly at home in the region – and, by extension, at home wrangling bass around docks, rocks and all that Grand Lake offers.
On Day 1, Luetkemeyer put together a solid bag on docks – exactly what you’d expect out of the young Lake of the Ozarks guide.
“I had a good practice. I wasn’t getting a lot of bites, but I was up here in the dirty water flipping, and I felt pretty good,” he said. “It was a grind, but I was catching bigger fish. Yesterday went well, and I don’t know what changed today. Either they weren’t there, or they weren’t biting.
“At 1:30 this afternoon, I had one 3-pounder and two 14-inchers,” he said. “We made a big run down to the dam, found some schooling fish and caught ‘em pretty quick.”
Luetkemeyer was fishing in college not long ago and actually finished eighth in the Abu Garcia College Fishing National Championship on Grand Lake in 2021, when the lake was partially iced over during practice and some teams broke out crappie jigs to catch the finicky bass. Now, he’s on the cusp of a huge payday if he can make the right calls tomorrow.
“It hasn’t really hit me yet,” he said. “A few hours ago, I was all upset because I didn’t think I was going to come close to making a check. But that’s why we never give up and why I love bass fishing.”
As for the game plan, it sounds like Luetkemeyer is going to set the flipping jig aside, at least to start.
“I’m probably going to start down (the lake) and maybe work my way back and see how it goes,” he mused. “But I think I’m going to run to the clear water tomorrow.”
The top 25 pros that advanced to the Championship Round on Grand Lake are:
1st: Justin Luetkemeyer, Osage Beach, Mo., 10 bass, 29-13
2nd: Roger Fitzpatrick, Eldon, Mo., 10 bass, 29-10
3rd: Greg Bohannan, Bentonville, Ark., 10 bass, 29-5
4th: Shane Long, Willard, Mo., 10 bass, 28-14
5th: Travis Pitt, Niceville, Fla., 10 bass, 28-11
6th: Adam Boehle, Warrenton, Mo., 10 bass, 28-8
7th: Hayden O’Barr, Scottsboro, Ala., 10 bass, 28-4
8th: Riley Harris, Orange, Texas, 10 bass, 28-3
9th: Broderick Luckey, Lynchburg, Va., 10 bass, 28-0
10th: Lee Livesay, Longview, Texas, 10 bass, 27-14
11th: Eli Brumnett, Wagoner, Okla., 10 bass, 27-12
12th: Chad Mrazek, Montgomery, Texas, 10 bass, 27-10
13th: Chance Shelby, Denham Springs, La., 10 bass, 27-5
14th: Tyler Weberg, Eugene, Mo., nine bass, 26-14
15th: Brody Campbell, Oxford, Ohio, 10 bass, 26-14
16th: Dillon Falardeau, Hixson, Tenn., 10 bass, 26-7
17th: Tucker Smith, Birmingham, Ala., 10 bass, 26-7
18th: Benjamin Travis, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 26-7
19th: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 10 bass, 26-5
20th: Buddy Benson, Dahlonega, Ga., 10 bass, 26-4
21st: Banks Shaw, Harrison, Tenn., 10 bass, 26-3
22nd: Carter Nutt, Nashville, Tenn., 10 bass, 26-2
23rd: T.J. Martin, Claremore, Okla., 10 bass, 25-15
24th: Jack Daniel Williams, Kingsport, Tenn., 10 bass, 25-10
25th: Bradley Sullivan, Shawnee, Okla., 10 bass, 25-9
For a full list of results visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 604 bass weighing 1,325 pounds, 10 ounces caught by 141 pros Friday. The catch included 94 five-bass limits.
After Day 2, both REDCREST 2026 berths were officially decided. Luca Vittorio Della Ciana of Perugia, Italy, secured the MLF International Division title, earning a $10,000 bonus and a coveted spot in REDCREST 2026. On the collegiate side, University of Montevallo’s Brody Robison of Dawson, Alabama clinched his own REDCREST qualification as the highest-finishing member of the College Fishing National Championship team. Both anglers will now advance to compete against the sport’s best at Table Rock Lake next spring, representing their divisions – and the next generation of Major League Fishing talent – on bass fishing’s most prestigious platform.
On the co-angler side, the race is just as tight or tighter. In first but tied by weight, Michael Luckey has 21-10 on nine fish. Technically in second, Glenn Hall also has 21-10 but on 10 fish. In third, Tommy Pritchard has tallied 21-5 through two days.
The top 25 co-anglers that advanced to the Championship Round on Grand Lake are:
1st: Michael Luckey, Lynchburg, Va., nine bass, 21-10
2nd: Glenn Hall, Wellsville, N.Y., 10 bass, 21-10
3rd: Tommy Pritchard, Bargersville, Ind., 10 bass, 21-5
4th: Giovanni Ceccarelli, Rimini, Italy, 10 bass, 20-1
5th: Jeremy Bouldin, Kings Mountain, N.C., seven bass, 18-13
6th: Ben Burk, Norman, Okla., eight bass, 18-13
7th: Jakob Labelle, Hinesburg, Vt., eight bass, 18-7
8th: Brent Jones, Okeana, Ohio, seven bass, 17-3
9th: Will Lancett, Jacksonville, Ark., seven bass, 15-10
10th: Les Brandenburg, Springfield, Mo., eight bass, 15-8
11th: Joshua Paul, Oliver Springs, Tenn., five bass, 15-6
12th: Brian Durham, Dinwiddie, Va., seven bass, 15-6
13th: James Cobbs, Vinemont, Ala., seven bass, 15-2
14th: Mark King, Gurdon, Ark., eight bass, 15-1
15th: Ryan Steinhoff, Beulah, Colo., seven bass, 15-0
16th: Kenny Manning, Bethpage, Tenn., six bass, 14-15
17th: Jason Wiley, Swainsboro, Ga., six bass, 14-12
18th: Kyle Malone, Troy, Ohio, seven bass, 14-9
19th: DJ Pugh, Overland Park, Kan., seven bass, 14-2
20th: Pop Catalin, Cookeville, Tenn., seven bass, 14-0
21st: Scott Standafer, Milford, Ohio, eight bass, 13-13
22nd: Kade Wesner, Lancaster, Pa., eight bass, 13-12
23rd: Alex Moore, Chester, Ill., six bass, 13-10
24th: Noah Dickneite, Freeburg, Mo., seven bass, 13-8
25th: David Johnson, Memphis, Tenn., seven bass, 13-3
The final 25 pros and co-anglers will take off Saturday at 7 a.m. CT from Wolf Creek Park, located at 963 N. 16th Street, in Grove. Saturday’s Championship weigh-in will also be held at the park and will begin at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the daily takeoffs and weigh-ins and also follow the action online through daily “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Hosted the City of Grove and the Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau, the championship event features more than 350 pros and co-anglers from around the world, competing for a top cash award of up to $235,000. The field is now cut to just the top 25 pros and co-anglers heading into the final day of competition, the culmination of the 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats season.
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and Rob Newell will break down the extended action live on Championship Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble. T he 2025 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats will air on VICE Sports January 4 and January 11, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET.
The full field of anglers competed on Days 1 and 2 of the event Thursday and Friday, with the top 25 pros and top 25 co-anglers based on cumulative weight from the first two days continuing to the third and final day on Saturday. The 2025 Toyota Series champions will be determined by the heaviest three-day total weight.
Pros and co-anglers can qualify for multiple contingency awards based on final standings in the championship, including the lucrative $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for pros. The winning co-angler will earn a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor.
The 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consisted of five divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern and Southwestern – each holding three regular-season events, along with the MLF International division and the Wild Card. The highest finishing pro from each division at the championship will claim a $10,000 bonus. The bonus will go to the second-highest finishing pro in the division represented by the overall champion.
The 2025 Toyota Series Championship field features the top 25 pros, top 25 co-anglers and tournament winners from each of the five divisions; the top 25 pros and 25 co-anglers from the Wild Card division plus tournament winners; the highest finishing boater and co-angler from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Regional and the TBF at the All-American; the top three teams from the College Fishing National Championship; High School Fishing National Champions; TBF National Champions; and MLF International anglers from Canada, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.
Local Angler Discovers Hidden Cages Before Major Competition
Local Angler Discovers Hidden Cages Before Major Competition
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE – The discovery of three illegal fish-holding devices in the past month has exposed a dark side of competitive bass fishing that threatens the integrity of the sport. The most recent find came just days before a high-profile tournament with a significant cash payout, raising serious questions about how widespread cheating has become in local and national bass fishing competitions.
“Where are all the cages and nets buried on Smith Mountain Lake?” asks local tournament angler who made the discoveries. “My team keeps finding these devices, and honestly, it makes you wonder how many more are out there.”
The illegal practice involves anglers planting wire cages or nets filled with bass in strategic locations before tournaments begin. During competition, cheaters return to these spots, retrieve the pre-caught fish, and claim them as legitimate catches. It’s a scheme that undermines honest competitors and damages the sport’s reputation.
A Sport in Crisis
The cheating problem extends far beyond hidden cages. According to tournament organizers, 2025 became known as the year the “no information rule” was repeatedly violated. This rule prohibits anglers from sharing details about fish locations and patterns during competitions. Violations occurred at every level—from elite professional circuits down to weekend club tournaments.
Major League Fishing has announced new regulations for 2026, including restrictions on Forward Facing Sonar technology and requirements for co-anglers to help monitor rule compliance. But many in the fishing community question whether new rules alone can solve a problem rooted in human character.
“Cheating of any sort is wrong,” the local angler stated. “But the stakes have gotten so high. Entry fees can be thousands of dollars, and the pressure to win is intense.”
The Real Cost of Cheating
Tournament fishing has changed dramatically in recent years. What was once a gentleman’s sport has become increasingly competitive and commercial. Sponsors demand results. Social media followers expect constant success. The pressure to perform has never been greater.
“We’ve become a country obsessed with likes and follows on social media,” the angler observed. “Everyone wants approval from their friends and peers. Some people are willing to do whatever it takes to get that check or that glory—even if it means cheating.”
The financial stakes are real. Entry fees for major tournaments range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Top prizes can reach six figures. For some anglers, winning means securing sponsorships, building a brand, and turning fishing into a career.
But the cost of cheating goes beyond money. It destroys trust among competitors. It steals opportunities from honest anglers who spend countless hours perfecting their craft. It threatens the future of organized bass fishing.
A Call for Accountability
The angler who discovered the illegal devices has taken a strong public stance. “I’ve asked my followers to destroy any cage or net they find,” he said. “I’ve worked incredibly hard to build The Bass Cast and get where I am today. Watching someone take the easy route makes me sick.”
His message to the fishing community is clear: Report suspicious activity. Hold each other accountable. Don’t let cheaters win through silence.
Tournament directors are responding with stricter enforcement and harsher penalties. Polygraph tests are becoming more common at major events. Some organizations have implemented lifetime bans for proven cheaters. Technology like live streaming and GPS tracking is making it harder to cheat undetected.
Hope for the Future
Despite the current crisis, many in the bass fishing community believe 2026 can mark a turning point. New rules, better enforcement, and a cultural shift toward accountability offer hope for cleaning up the sport.
“Sin has always been in the heart of people,” one local angler reflected. “But we can see real change in 2026. It can be a new year for tournament bass fishing.”
The path forward requires action from everyone involved in the sport. Tournament organizers must enforce rules consistently. Sponsors should support only anglers who compete with integrity. Most importantly, individual anglers must choose honor over victory at any cost.
“Let’s think before we act,” he urged fellow anglers. “Let’s consider our words before we speak. Maybe each of us can be the change we’ve all been looking for in the years ahead.”
The water holds plenty of fish for those willing to catch them honestly. The real question is whether anglers will choose the harder, honorable path—or continue down the easy route that ultimately destroys what they claim to love.
For those who love competitive bass fishing, the answer must be clear: Fish hard, fish fair, and fish with honor. The future of the sport depends on it.
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Alex Cummings & Garrett Smith Win CATT Lake Greenwood with 5 bass weighing 11.58 lbs!
Next and last Greenwood Fall Qualifier is Nov 22 at the Hwy 72 ramp!
Alex Cummings & Garrett Smith took 1st Place with 5 bass weighing 11.58 lbs!
Jason Snyder with his catch of 11.05 lbs good for 2nd place!
Darryl Redfern & John Williams weighed the BF at 3.24 lbs!
| Team | BF | Weight | Winnings | Points |
| Alex Cummings – Garrett Smith | 3.03 | 11.58 | $500.00 | 110 |
| Jason Snyder | 2.73 | 11.05 | $140.00 | 109 |
| Brian Hohn – Curtis Baird | 2.73 | 10.44 | 108 | |
| Kenin Newman – Gary New | 3.13 | 10.16 | 107 | |
| Jason Moyer – Sam Metts | 2.75 | 9.83 | 106 | |
| Darryl Redfern – John Williams | 3.24 | 8.13 | $90.00 | 105 |
| Anthony Kiker – Truett Hill | 0.00 | 7.73 | 104 | |
| Christopher Burnett – Anthony Burnett | 0.00 | 2.27 | 103 | |
| Cade Blackwell – Landon Barbee | 0.00 | 0.00 | 92 | |
| Total Entrys | $810.00 | |||
| BONUS $ | $200.00 | |||
| Total Paid At Ramp | $730.00 | |||
| CATT | $0.00 | |||
| 2025 Greenwood Fall Final Fund | $140.00 | |||
| 2026 CATT Championship Fund | $50.00 | |||
| 2025 Greenwood Fall Final Total | $915.00 |
Matt & Charlie Baker Win CATT Cooper River, SC with 5 bass weighing 12.38 lbs
James Fender & Kyle Welch win the 2025 Fall Cooper River Points and will receive free entry at Final and Boat #1
We will be awarding point money! Also, plaques to the top point team and plaques to the Final Winners PLUS Academy Gift cards and Lews /Strike King Gift Cards!
Matt Baker & Charlie Baker took 1st Place with 5 bass weighing 12.38 lbs plus they weighed the BF at 5.33 lbs!
Bob Watford & Phillip Carver earned 2nd place with 5 bass weighing 10.64 lbs!
Glenn Varner & Vic Varner 3rd with 10.41 lbs!
Jeff Parson & Michael Ard 4th with 9.90 lbs!
| Team | BF | Weight | Winnings | Points |
| Matt Baker – Charlie Baker | 5.33 | 12.38 | $1,055.00 | 110 |
| Bob Watford – Phillip Carver | 3.13 | 10.64 | $220.00 | 109 |
| Glenn Varner – Vic Varner | 3.55 | 10.41 | $110.00 | 108 |
| Michael Ard – Jeff Parsons | 2.81 | 9.90 | $65.00 | 107 |
| Dwayne Reine – Adrian Johnson | 4.09 | 9.56 | 106 | |
| Jonathan Brindle – Justin Harvey | 0.00 | 9.01 | 105 | |
| James Fender – Kyle Welch | 2.99 | 8.80 | 104 | |
| Timothy Agibbs – Brennon Gunter | 2.88 | 8.45 | 103 | |
| Tim Tyson – Corey Ketchum | 3.35 | 8.03 | 102 | |
| Joseph Barton – Logan Stewart | 1.79 | 6.99 | 101 | |
| Chris Jones – Noah Jones | 0.00 | 6.81 | 100 | |
| Mike Gerald – Caleb Gerald | 0.00 | 6.53 | 99 | |
| Shane Thaxton – Rob Casey | 0.00 | 5.44 | 98 | |
| Willie Weatherford – Wyatt Wetherford | 0.00 | 4.71 | 97 | |
| Tim Williamson | 0.00 | 4.48 | 96 | |
| Jeff Preseau | 2.55 | 3.92 | 95 | |
| Matt Clifford | 0.00 | 1.96 | 94 | |
| John Ford – Robert Thornley | 0.00 | 0.00 | 84 | |
| Jeremy Hernandez – Randy Gibson | 0.00 | 0.00 | 84 | |
| Trey Baker | 0.00 | 0.00 | 84 | |
| Bubba Dennis | 0.00 | 0.00 | 84 | |
| Total Entrys | $1,260.00 | |||
| BONUS $ | $525.00 | |||
| Total Paid At Ramp | $1,450.00 | |||
| Cooper River 2025 Fall Final Fund | $100.00 | |||
| 2026 CATT Championship Fund | $25.00 | |||
| Cooper River 2025 Fall Final Fund Total | $560.00 |
Jacob & Jeff Norris Win CATT Lake Wateree with 5 bass weighing 15.66 lbs!
Next up the Lake Wateree Fall Final Nov 8 at Clearwater Cove Marina!
The 2026 Lake Wateree Spring Trail is posted! Go to the Wateree Division page and scroll past the Fall schedule!
Jacob Norris & Jeff Norris win Lake Wateree with 5 bass weighing 15.66 lbs!
They also won the Fall Points and will fish the Fall Final Free!
Colden & Bubba Baker 2nd with 13.71 lbs!
Dearal Rodgers with the BF at 5.07 lbs!
| Team | BF | Weight | Winnings | Points |
| Jeff Norris & Jacob Norris | 3.71 | 15.66 | $905.00 | 110 |
| Bubba Baker & Colden Baker | 3.74 | 13.71 | $250.00 | 109 |
| Dearal Rodgers & Trent McLaughlin | 5.07 | 13.02 | $100.00 | 108 |
| Steve Phillips & Chad Sims | 3.11 | 11.68 | 107 | |
| Paul Wells & Craig Haven | 4.08 | 10.42 | 106 | |
| Ray Dowey & Chanon Dowey | 0.00 | 3.94 | 105 | |
| Jack Hoilman | 0.00 | 0.00 | 95 | |
| Clay Parker & Braylon Parker | 0.00 | 0.00 | 95 | |
| Randall Driggers & Josh McGregor | 0.00 | 0.00 | 95 | |
| Robbie English & Jess Childers | 0.00 | 0.00 | 95 | |
| Total Entrys | $1,200.00 | |||
| BONUS $ | $375.00 | |||
| Total Paid At Ramp | $1,255.00 | |||
| 2025 Wateree Fall Final Fund | $220.00 | |||
| CATT | $50.00 | |||
| 2026 CATT Championship | $50.00 | |||
| 2025 Wateree Fall Fund Total | $900.00 |
From Deck to Dock
| From Deck to Dock |
| Whitewater Fishing’s new Basin Deck Boots are made for walking, not slipping, slogging or soaking |
| MUSKEGON, Mich. (November 6, 2025) – The deck boot. Pretty straightforward waterproof footwear for the angler and boater, right? Well, sort of. Yes, its applications are commonplace in wet marine settings. But are all deck boots alike? Not so much. There’s a reason mystery manufacturer deck boots on Amazon go for under fifty bucks and legitimate brands and boots open at around a hundy – the design, performance, and quality are exponentially better.Speaking of $100 (actually, $99.99), trusted gear manufacturer Whitewater Fishing has packed multitudes of technology into a hundred dollar pair of deck boots, the 100% waterproof Basin Deck Boot. |
| Conceived and perfected from top to bottom, let’s go from sole to step-in detailing the construction and features of the Basin Deck Boot. “We truly took every use, condition, and inch into consideration,” said Whitewater Merchandise Manager, Doug Veldhuizen. “And the boot’s slip-resistant sole really demonstrates our attention to detail and the boot’s ultimate performance.” |
| The exceptionally durable and slip-resistant sole features a custom pattern that was developed to both intensify traction and channel water away from your foot. Note the unique checkering and textured pattern with exit channels. It’s all there for a reason – keeping you dry and on your feet. (The embossed Whitewater logo is pretty dope, too.)The actual boot body is formed from a premium rubber material vulcanized around a neoprene footing – more on that in a minute. The body of the heel is double layered for added durability, while a checkered rubber layer on the toe bolsters longevity as well. |
| The Basin Deck Boot’s heel features a molded rubber “kicker” outcropping for quickly removing the boots. Step on the tab with the opposing foot and the boot pops right off. |
| The boot’s flexible up3=[.per sports a pair of generously sized web loops for easy-on. Step in, grab the loops, and you’re in business. |
| The Basin Deck Boot’s innerworkings are equally impressive. The comfortable insides are formed with a soft but durable, two-ply, 3mm neoprene/2mm air mesh material. You’ll notice the air mesh grid pattern inside the Basin Deck Boot before slipping it on. Its purpose is channeling otherwise stagnant air to promote dryness. Whitewater went further and added a mildew-proof, antibacterial, and moisture-wicking treatment. All told the end goal was dryness without any funky odor. Go ahead and check that box…Should you expect an extraordinary insole as well. Absolutely. The Basin Deck Boot includes a removable and contoured polyurethane insole with arch support and 7mm of thickness in front and 10mm in the heel. Sounds more like a premium running shoe than a fishing boot. Polyurethane was chosen for its ability to resist flattening. |
| Basin Deck BootFEATURES:100% waterproofTextured slip-resistant soleSole is channeled to shed waterPremium rubber bodyReinforced heel and toeMolded kicker for quick removalDual web loops for easy-onMildew-proof, antibacterial, and moisture-wicking treatmentContoured polyurethane insole with arch supportSIZES: 8 to 13COLOR: ShadeMSRP: $99.99 |
Finding consistency will be key in final EQ at Lake Okeechobee
Florida’s Lake Okeechobee will host the final Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier presented by Bass Pro Shops of the season November 13-15.
Photo by Craig Lamb/B.A.S.S.
Nov. 6, 2025
Finding consistency will be key in final EQ at Lake Okeechobee
CLEWISTON, Fla. — To claim a spot in next year’s 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series field during the final 2025 Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier presented by Bass Pro Shops, anglers will need to find consistency on a Lake Okeechobee that has been “all or nothing” as of late, according to local guide and social media guru Kane Weekley.
“It has been super hit or miss,” the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN angler said. “One day you’ll pull into a spot and catch almost 30 pounds and the next day you won’t catch anything. It’s not the peak spawning season, but there are early spawners moving in and I think that is why it is hit or miss. As well as some cold fronts.
“There’s going to be all sorts of things going on.”
Tournament days are scheduled for Nov. 13-15. Anglers will launch from Roland Martin’s Marina in Clewiston starting at 7 a.m. ET and will return for weigh-in at 3 p.m. The winner of the event will earn a spot in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour while the Top 10 anglers in overall EQ points at the end of the tournament will earn an invitation to the Elite Series.
Since the Elite Series visited at the beginning of the year, water levels have dropped close to normal levels, which has allowed the vegetation to begin growing in earnest on the vast fishery. As a result, the water is cleaner throughout the lake than it’s been in several years.
The improved water clarity and the reemergence of eelgrass, needlegrass and other grasses has Okeechobee on the upswing. Big bass have always lived in these waters, but anglers have been catching impressive stringers as of late.
“There are a lot of different areas that are fishable,” Weekley said. “I think people will spread out a lot. The community holes will still play, but there will be a lot of areas that people will be fishing in.”
Fall cold fronts have made repeating successes difficult, and the EQ field will face one of those cold fronts during practice.
Sunday’s forecasted high is 86 degrees, before the front moves through in the evening. Once the front moves through, Monday’s high will only be 72 degrees while Tuesday’s high will only rise to 67 degrees. The lows, meanwhile, will bottom out at 47 and 51 those two days, which is very chilly for south Florida.
“The first couple of days of practice will be tough for sure,” the 20-year-old said. “There is a chance it could be a little bit tougher than usual.”
While it could be a tough practice period, temperatures warm back up into the high 70s and low 80s for the tournament, and more importantly the lows will be closer to the 60-degree mark.
Weekley anticipates both prespawn and spawning largemouth to factor in this tournament, but those bites occur in completely different areas. Even though its November, water temperatures are still conducive for spawning activity. During his trips ahead of the tournament, Weekley noticed plenty of bucks in those spawning areas.
Targeting the shallow needlegrass with Texas-rigged worms, frogs and swim jigs will likely be the most productive pattern for spawners.
“The females just haven’t moved in like crazy yet,” Weekley said. “It could be next week. If the water temperatures stay between 72 to 80, that bite will still be good. The warmer the better.”
The prespawners are less predictable. The wind tends to dictate where the baitfish in the lake set up. Those prespawners can also choose to hit the bed at any time. But, if a pro can find the right group of bass, they can get a sizable limit in the box in a hurry. Spooks, swim jigs, Gambler Big EZ swimbaits and ChatterBaits will be popular baits for targeting this class of largemouth.
“There are some big fish around prespawn areas with some shad balls in the grass,” he said. “There have been times when big bass are busting shad out of the water. Depending on the wind, you can get right. But it can also be a total fail. It’s weather dependent.”
With how the weather is setting up, Weekley doesn’t anticipate a 30-pound bag being weighed-in, but he does think close to 67 or 68 pounds will be enough to win the tournament and claim a Classic spot.
“Most of the tournaments on Okeechobee are won within a single area. You Power-Pole down and stay in one spot or move around within an area. That seems to be a Florida thing. But, there might be some moving around in this tournament with how many different bites are going on. But it is hard to (pin down) the timing.”
Kentucky’s Matt Messer leads the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers presented by Bass Pro Shops standings after two events with 175 points followed closely by Michigan’s Aaron Jagdfeld in second with 174 points. Alabama’s Fisher Anaya is third with 170 points, Pennsylvania’s Grae Buck is fourth with 170 points and Alabama’s Russ Lane is fifth with 164 points. Jace Lindsay (164 points), Bailey Gay (159 points), Brock Reinkemeyer (155 points), Sam Hanggi (153 points) and Jack Dice (149 points) round out the Top 10. Only 10 points separate Dice and 14th-place Pake South.
Bassmaster LIVE will be providing coverage of all three days of the 2025 Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Lake Okeechobee presented by Bass Pro Shops. Days 1 and 2 will be available on Bassmaster.com and Roku from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. before Bassmaster.com carries the afternoon coverage from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Both the morning sessions and afternoon sessions of the final day of competition will be carried on both Bassmaster.com and Roku.
Visit Hendry County and Roland and Mary Ann Martin’s Marina and Resort are hosting the tournament.
Ugly Stik Elevates a Legend With the Elite Series Rods and Combos
Built tougher, lighter, and more responsive for today’s all-around angler.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Some rods tell stories. Ugly Stik builds legends. The new Elite Series honors that heritage with a refined design that balances relentless strength and precision feel—made for those who fish hard and never hold back. This comprehensive lineup of spinning and casting rods and combos are built for unmatched performance across freshwater and salmon/steelhead applications. Combining advanced materials with time-tested durability, the Elite Series blends modern design with the legendary toughness anglers have come to expect from Ugly Stik.
At the core of every Elite rod is their signature Ugly Tech construction for exceptional strength without sacrificing sensitivity. Each rod is outfitted with PVD-coated Ugly Tuff one-piece stainless-steel guides which reduce line fray. Premium cork grips provide comfort and control through long days on the water, while a 10-year rod warranty underscores Ugly Stik’s commitment to building rods that last.
The Elite Spinning and Casting Rods deliver all-around performance for a wide range of species and techniques, while the Elite Salmon/Steelhead models are tuned with the ideal lengths, powers, and actions to meet the demands of anglers chasing trophy fish in moving water. Both series combine proven Ugly Stik durability with refined balance and feel to create rods that perform as good as they look.
For anglers seeking ready-to-fish setups, the Elite Spinning Combo and Elite Baitcast Combo pair these advanced rods with dependable reels built for smooth operation and long-term reliability. The Elite Spinning Combo comes with a 30 or 35 size reel, equipped with four ball bearings, instant anti-reverse, a machined aluminum spool, and an oversized handle knob for enhanced grip and comfort. The Elite Baitcast Combo delivers precise casting and power through a six-bearing system with anti-reverse, a machined aluminum spool, lightweight graphite composite frame, and a double paddle aluminum handle for added control.
From panfish to salmon, lake to river, the Ugly Stik Elite Series offers a rod and combo for every angler who demands performance without compromise. Built tough, backed by a 10-year rod warranty, and trusted everywhere fishing stories are told—Ugly Stik Elite rods and combos are engineered to fish harder and last longer.
UGLY STIK ELITE SPINNING & CASTING RODS – KEY FEATURES:
- Ugly Stik Clear Tip design
- Ugly Tech construction
- PVD coated Ugly Tuff one-piece stainless-steel guides
- Premium cork grips
- 10-year warranty
MSRP: $84.95
Available: November 2025
UGLY STIK ELITE SALMON/STEELHEAD SPINNING & CASTING RODS – KEY FEATURES:
- Ugly Stik Clear Tip design
- Ugly Tech construction
- PVD coated Ugly Tuff one-piece stainless-steel guides
- Premium cork grips
- 10-year warranty
MSRP: $109.95
Available: November 2025
UGLY STIK ELITE SPINNING COMBO – KEY FEATURES:
- Ugly Stik Clear Tip design
- Ugly Tech construction
- PVD coated Ugly Tuff one-piece stainless-steel guides
- Premium cork grips
- Reel sizes 30 and 35 feature 4 ball bearings with anti-reverse
- Machined aluminum spool
- Larger handle knob for better grip
- 10-year rod warranty
MSRP: $119.95
Available: November 2025
UGLY STIK ELITE BAITCAST COMBO – KEY FEATURES:
- Ugly Stik Clear Tip design
- Ugly Tech construction
- PVD coated Ugly Tuff one-piece stainless-steel guides
- Premium cork grips
- 6 ball bearings with anti-reverse
- Machined aluminum spool
- Lightweight graphite composite frame
- Double paddle aluminum handle
- 10-year rod warranty
MSRP: $139.95
Available: November 2025
To learn more about Ugly Stik, click here.
About Pure Fishing
Pure Fishing is a collection of the world’s favorite fishing brands. Every day, all around the world, someone experiences the joy of catching a fish with one of our products. From gear for epic battles at sea to a relaxing day with family at the lake, our portfolio includes the most recognized and admired brands in fishing tackle, lures, rods, reels and storage. Abu Garcia®, All Star®, Berkley®, Fenwick®, Fin-Nor®, Frabill®, Greys®, Hardy®, Hodgman®, Johnson®, JRC®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Pflueger®, Plano®, Shakespeare®, SpiderWire®, Stren®, Ugly Stik® and Van Staal®.