Posts | The Bass Cast | Your News Source for Bass Fishing

Bass Cast Radio Announces Exciting New Podcast Show: Before the 1st Cast

February 19, 2024

Bass Cast Radio Announces Exciting New Podcast Show: Before the 1st Cast

Concord, VA– Bass Cast Radio, a leading platform for fishing enthusiasts, is delighted to announce the launch of their new podcast show, Before the 1st Cast. This captivating program aims to provide listeners with an engaging 15-minute show filled with stories and valuable information that may not require a full hour-long episode.

Recognizing the need for shorter yet impactful content, Bass Cast Radio has dedicated Before the 1st Cast to cover a range of topics that may not necessarily warrant a lengthier discussion. Whether it’s a product release, media news information, or a quick catch-up with an angler, this show aims to deliver bite-sized content that is both informative and entertaining.

“We are thrilled to introduce Before the 1st Cast to our audience,” said Brian Carter, Host and Founder of Bass Cast Radio. “Our goal has always been to provide high-quality, engaging content that speaks to the interests of our fishing community. With this new podcast, we can cater to those topics that deserve attention but do not require a full hour of discussion.”

Before the 1st Cast offers a unique opportunity for individuals, businesses, or experts in the fishing industry to showcase their expertise or share their stories. Bass Cast Radio invites anyone with a topic or someone in mind that would make a great guest for Before the 1st Cast to reach out and join them in recording an episode.

“We believe there are countless untold stories and valuable insights that deserve to be shared,” continued Smith. “If you know someone who would make a fantastic guest on Before the 1st Cast or have a topic in mind you’d like us to discuss, we encourage you to contact us today. Together, let’s create exciting content that resonates with anglers and fishing enthusiasts worldwide.”

For media inquiries, please contact:

Brian Carter
Host and Founder, Bass Cast Radio
Phone:
Email: Media@basscastradio.com

Arkansas’ Edwards Notches Second BFL Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Table Rock Lake

Brian Carter

February 19, 2024

Arkansas’ Edwards Notches Second BFL Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Table Rock Lake

Boater Landon Edwards of Springdale, Arkansas, and Strike-King co-angler James Welch of Bolivar, Missouri.

Marietta’s Anderson Starts Season with Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Lanier

Brian Carter

February 19, 2024

Marietta’s Anderson Starts Season with Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Lanier

Boater Brooks Anderson of Marietta, Georgia, and Strike-King co-angler Joseph Chilcott of Williamson, Georgia.

Power/Rigging Solutions for All Outdoors Activities

Brian Carter

February 19, 2024

Power/Rigging Solutions for All Outdoors Activities

Designed and manufactured in the U.S.A., Connect-Ease^® makes outdoors activities more enjoyable with reliable, clean power and affordable, easy, hassle-free rigging solutions

PRIOR LAKE, MN (February 19, 2024) – Connect-Ease® was started by hardcore angler, shooting sports expert/instructor, and hunter, Cal Munkvold.In the early 1970s, Munkvold grew up in Dakota farm country and learned at a very young age how to improvise fixes on broken equipment and machinery to keep things running smooth. These experiences stayed with him throughout his life, and he lives by a simple motto we’ve heard him utter more than once in the Connect-Ease® shop: “We love to find ways to make things work better while solving everyday problems along the way.”After a long career in the I.T. consulting industry and a patent for an innovative project management system, Munkvold was encouraged by friends to bring his solution focus to the marine and outdoor industry and he decided to create Connect-Ease® in 2013, following his passion of a lifetime for outdoor pursuits.Still abiding by the 12-hour work day he learned growing up, Munkvold’s brain is always buzzing with new ideas of how to improve the outdoor experience, especially products that allow an easier, problem-free experience on the water fishing and boating.

“I keep a notebook on my nightstand. Sometimes, I’ll wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning with a customer’s question or problem and write down an idea for a new rigging product. It’s always been that way. I like to make things work easier, faster, and better,” says Munkvold.And that’s been the case with an outdoors power/rigging solutions company called Connect-Ease, a boot-straps project Cal started out of a modest residential garage space in 2013.The result?An unprecedented system for connecting outdoor equipment, with easy removal, maintenance and replacement of all deep cycle and marine-style batteries in various outdoors sports applications.Additionally, a growing number of Connect-Ease products have been designed specifically to meet growing power demands and lithium battery technology.“After rigging countless fishing boats, ATVs, golf carts, and lawn tractors for buddies—as well as my own—over the years, I knew there had to be a better way. Same goes for hooking up batteries in everything from RVs, sporting clay machines, back-up power for basement sump pumps, UTVs, golf carts, farm machinery, off-grid systems, you-name-it,” says Munkvold.From the very start, Munkvold was innovating—creating a family of products like nobody had ever seen before.He started with a series of easy-to-use, bullet-proof connections for sporting clay machines, then series and parallel rigging kit designs for easy and reliable trolling motor installations, followed by a better way to rig today’s complex fishing electronics without countless trips to the hardware store in search of the correct gauge wire, fuses, fuse blocks, connectors, etc.

“Our focus from the start,” says Munkvold, “was to serve the needs of the overall outdoors community and provide innovative, quality power/rigging kits, parts and accessories, at an affordable price.”The interest and growing demand quickly became apparent.Connect-Ease began growing to serve an ever-larger market, and in 2017, Munkvold moved operations and warehouse facilities, which the company quickly outgrew. The company then began a great partnership with a top-notch American manufacturing, assembly and packaging team to serve their growing customer base.In 2021, Connect-Ease opened a new R&D facility, warehouse, and installation facility in Prior Lake, Minnesota, while expanding their assembly and packaging location in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, to better serve their retail partners (Bass Pro/Cabela’s, Scheels, various distributors, retailers, and multiple lithium battery manufacturers).The Connect-Ease R&D and installation location has quickly become a national resource and destination for outdoors industry enthusiasts and professionals. Customers from across the country were excited to finally get the power rigging products they needed but were unable to find elsewhere—all at a fair price. The Connect-Ease team’s expertise helps customers create product and custom solutions that are designed for their unique power/rigging application, all at or below budget.

“From the start, Connect-Ease maintained facilities staffed with power/rigging experts for all outdoors-related equipment, from complex tournament fishing boats with today’s sophisticated electronics, to RV/off-grid systems, motorsports, to equipment for the field and farm. Besides offering turn-key, retail-ready Connect-Ease rigging solutions, our expertise includes creating unique, custom power/rigging applications for multiple industries. The Connect-Ease goal has always been to offer high-quality products that make the outdoors experience problem-free and long-lasting,” offers Munkvold.Fast-forward to 2023. Connect-Ease now has a nationwide customer base and wide end-user acceptance with literally hundreds of viewable 5-star reviews online. In the fishing arena, the launch of GRAPH-POWER® Pro has earned accolades from tournament pros to weekend anglers for making the set-up of today’s elaborate forward-facing sonar and other fish-finding products a breeze. Rigging that used to take hours now takes minutes. From a small, garage operation to nationally-recognized leader in their field, Connect-Ease has made excellent use of their expanded facilities, experience, and expertise to serve the outdoor community in the Fishing, Camping, Hunting, Adventure/Play segments, recently adding countless product lines in Kayak Fishing, Ice Fishing, Solar, RV/Off-Grid/Boondocking, Golf Carts, Jet Skis/ATV/UTV, and Agricultural vertical markets.

Connect-Ease products can be found at retailers including Bass Pro/Cabela’s, Scheels, Camping World, Made in USA, Dakota Lithium—and are also stocked by wholesalers/distributors SeaWide and Northern Wholesale. Anglers can also visit Connect-Ease in person at the Bassmaster Classic Expo, Booth #116, March 22-24, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Or visit www.connect-ease.comWhat’s next for Connect-Ease? Helping the next guy who drives across the country with his boat to put an end to ongoing power problems—while still providing products via wholesale and retail partners that customers can order online and finally fix their own power/rigging issues affordably at home, and on their own timeframe—or with the rigger of their choice.On the PR/marketing and social media front, Connect-Ease has enlisted Traditions Media, Pro Fishing Media, and Bassmaster to help educate potential customers and promote the brand across all facets of the fishing and marine space.

Jeff & Clay Ross Win CATT Smith Mountain Lake with 21.98lbs

Brian Carter

February 18, 2024

Jeff & Clay Ross Win CATT Smith Mountain Lake with 21.98lbs

Photos & Video take by Alicia Matherly

Today marked the beginning of the (CATT) spring season, on Smith Mountain Lake. With over 45 boats looking to land the biggest catch, the atmosphere was as intense as their determination.

Despite Smith Mountain Lake being renowned for its bass population, the lake did not give up its prizes willingly this time.

In the midst of the growing tension of the final weigh-ins and with the spectators holding on to each gasp of excitement, the winners were the father-son team of Jeff and Clay Ross. Their triumph came amidst challenging conditions, further amplifying their achievement.

The excitement from the inaugural event of CATT’s spring season at Smith Mountain Lake was a clear indication of the thrilling bass fishing season that awaits. If the scale of today’s event was a sign of what’s to come, fishing enthusiasts can barely hold back their excitement. Here’s to kicking off a great bass fishing season with CATT!

CLICK HERE TO SEE RESULTS

CLICK HERE TO SEE POINTS STANDINGS

2024 Bassmaster Elite: Fresh Talents, Unpredictable Triumphs

Letters to the Editor

Brian Carter

February 18, 2024

2024 Bassmaster Elite: Fresh Talents, Unpredictable Triumphs

Dear Editor,

The dawn of the 2024 Bassmaster Elite season is upon us, ready to unfurl this week on the noted fishing locale, Toledo Bend. The palpable anticipation amongst angling enthusiasts is hard to ignore as everyone eagerly awaits to see what this new season has in store for us, especially with the rise of some promising talents.

Among them is Brandon McMillan, a rising star hailing from the Bassmaster Open EQ. Many are looking forward to seeing whether his fishing expertise honed through previous competitions will enable him to make a prominent impact right at the start of this season.

Sharing the spotlight with McMillan is none other than the Bassmaster EQ Angler of The Year and Rookie Elite Series Fisherman, JT Thompkins. His commendable achievements have certainly set the bar high, making his performance a must-watch.

Toledo Bend, the location for the first event, is renowned for its thrilling challenges, adding to the competition’s suspense. This famed fishing spot, known for its difficult conditions, will test the abilities of these expert anglers, bringing an added layer of anticipation to the tournament. Each competitor will be drawn into a battle against the challenging environment, thus turning the event into a gripping spectacle where only the best will triumph.

So, as the 2024 Bassmaster Elite season embarks, we’ll be glued to the edge of our seats, watching every cast and catch with bated breath. The thrill of the first stop is just the beginning—I, like many, am eager to see how the season unfolds and who emerges victorious, etching their name in the annals of Bassmaster history.

Sincerely,

Success & Safety On Big Water Ice

Brian Carter

February 18, 2024

Success & Safety On Big Water Ice
Tackling massive water bodies through the ice requires a focused approach.

MUSKEGON, MI (February 18, 2024) – If you want to stay safe on big-water ice, best to check with an experienced, local ice fishing guide like Perch Patrol’s Korey Sprengel, who’s checking accesses, travel routes, and other areas for safety every single day.

Given intermittent warming trends, we talked with Korey to get the scoop on best practices for staying safe on big water ice like North Dakota’s massive 200,000-acre-plus Devils Lake as we head from an unusually mild midwinter period into late-season ice.

First, Sprengel was quick to offer up a few tips for any anglers fishing big-waters anywhere throughout the Ice Belt, from both a fish-catching and safety perspective.

1) Stay Away From The Crowd: “By midwinter, ice fishing pressure will push fish out of community spots. They start moving toward more isolated structures that doesn’t get fished as much. So, finding those little spots versus picking the biggest piece of structure in an area that’s already been hit hard since early season is a good idea,” offers Sprengel.

2) Choose the Best Access: “Your southern accesses will generally be better than northern accesses due to sunlight exposure. But it also depends on the body of water you’re on. Here on Devils, a lot of access points require you to travel over a lot of shallow water before you get to the deeper water. On the newly flooded lakes out here, those accesses can become very iffy, very fast, where you need to drive your machine through a lot of water before you hit solid ice. So, you have to be very cautious. You can’t really trust any of it.”

Sprengel continues: “The biggest thing is staying away from shallow water. That could be at the access at the boat ramp; be a shallow rock pile that comes up to three feet or less; or, where vegetation reaches up to the ice surface. Especially with sunlight penetration, shallow water heats up a lot quicker, melting ice from the bottom and the top. On Devils, we deal with a lot of shallow roads that can warm up and melt fast. Obviously, crossing those areas can be risky. For me, I avoid any areas that are shallower than three or four feet when it comes to ice travel.”

3) Hire a Guide: “If your goal is to catch fish and minimize hassle and safety concerns, then hiring a guide on any big lake makes sense,” says Sprengel. “We monitor the ice situation every day and know where not to go. That’s not as easy for anglers just visiting to determine on their own.”

Devils Lake Conditions: Early February

“We just came off probably four or five days of sunny weather in the 40s. But surprisingly, the ice conditions are dealing fairly well,” says Sprengel.

“We basically lost all our snow, which created some water on the ice in a few areas. And the landings have deteriorated in some areas. But, at the end of the day, we’re in pretty good shape compared to what we could be.”

Sprengel says while the past few days have been warmer, they’ve had foggy conditions without the sun, which has kept the ice firm despite losing snow. They’ve also had nighttime lows below freezing which has acted as a stabilizer.

“Surface ice doesn’t start to melt until about 1 pm in the afternoon, but the conditions are changing every day. Each morning out will be different than the day before—access points, areas with cracks, best places to cross, etc. Although we have 22- to 30-inches of ice throughout most of the lake—a solid base layer—things can change pretty fast, especially when you factor in moving water and ice melting from both the bottom and the top.”

Sprengel says unseasonably warm weather has kept Devils Lake ice fishing tourism down a bit, even though they have probably the best ice south of the Canadian border.

“Everyone is kind of cautious, which is good—and the decrease in angler numbers has taken a lot of pressure off the accesses. Those are the first areas to get really beat up,” says Sprengel.

Despite the lack of snow and thicknesses that imply bigger rigs, full-size truck traffic is not currently encouraged, although some anglers are doing so. For Sprengel, he operates a Polaris Ranger Side-by-Side Crew Cab (with studded tires) and pulls two Jason Mitchel Voyager two-man flip-overs behind for clients to fish out of while he continues scouting.

Where To Fish On Devils Right Now

Even though Devils Lake is 50 miles east to west and 30 miles south to north, Sprengel fishes all of it. He must find the best perch and walleye bites for Perch Patrol customers.

“I’ll start by putting clients on walleyes during the morning on one side of the lake and then we’ll perch fish the afternoon on the other side,” says Sprengel.

He says that a lot of it depends on the weather and sun conditions. “It’s a day-by-day thing. I typically fish walleyes in the morning. If it’s dark, foggy, or cloudy, walleyes will move up into water as shallow as four or five feet, or slightly deeper around 10- to 12 feet.”

Sprengel says success comes with knowing when to fish different parts of the lake.

“The northern and western part of the lake has a lot more stained water. On sunny days, those are good walleye areas because of the reduced water clarity. The water clears up the farther you travel east. There can be good walleye bites in the east, too, lengthened with some cloud cover throughout the day.”

Again, at 200,000-plus-acres, Sprengel says there can be lots of bites going on in all directions, you just have to stay mobile and find them. And then you have to dial in on the patterns to catch the walleyes or perch in those areas.

Mid- to Late-Season Perch

Sprengel says the jumbo perch bite was really good prior to the recent warm-up. Now those fish have migrated into deep, 30- to 50-foot basins, expansive areas that are made easier to cover with forward-facing sonar, but still require a lot of hole drilling.

Sprengel is looking for the perch travel routes, areas where he and his clients can intercept big schools of fish.

“This time of year, Devils Lake perch are always cruising. I utilize two rods: one with some kind of rattle spoon and a waxworm to call them in and then a second rod with a tungsten jig and waxy to seal the deal—especially on those days when they’re sluggish.”

Recommended Wear: Warmer Ice Fishing

Thinking of ice fishing Devils Lake this month? Know that it will be warmer than average for the next week and very comfortable. You won’t need to dress like an astronaut to stay warm. Sprengel’s system for warmer days?

Base layer: Merino wool long underwear top and bottom
Sweatpants over base layer
Whitewater Fishing Buoy hoodie
Whitewater Fishing Torque heated vest
Whitewater Great Lakes Rain Bibs
Waterproof boots with midweight socks

“The big thing for me is a hoodie and the Whitewater Torque heated vest,” offers Sprengel.

“I wear the vest every day. The mornings are still a bit cool – or you’ll get cloud cover and it’s still damp – so having the button to engage the heating element is nice. Then I shut it off when I get warm moving around to scout areas. Once you try the vest, it is one piece of clothing that won’t leave your arsenal. As far as ice bibs are concerned, I’ve been wearing the un-insulated Whitewater Great Lakes bibs I wear in the boat during spring and fall tournaments over my base layers, sweatpants, and hoodie. That keeps my outfit lightweight, warm, but not too hot—and I can move around really well,” concludes Sprengel.

ABOUT NEXUS OUTDOORS
Nexus Outdoors, headquartered in Muskegon, MI, USA, is a leading worldwide designer, marketer and distributor of performance, hunting and casual odor-controlling apparel, footwear and equipment under the ScentLok Technologies®, OZ®, Blocker Outdoors®, Whitewater Fishing® Hardcore® Waterfowl and Tree Spider® brands. It also owns American Range Systems, manufacturer and distributor of the world’s strongest and safest bullet traps. Nexus Outdoors is the only company with access to all scent-controlling technologies, including their patented Carbon AlloyTM and Cold Fusion CarbonTM technologies, which provide superior success in the field. ScentLok and Blocker Outdoors are pioneers in the hunting industry, which many credit with creating a market focused on superior scent control to get closer to big game.

Kindy notches first career Bassmaster Opens victory on Lake Ouachita

Brian Carter

February 18, 2024

Kindy notches first career Bassmaster Opens victory on Lake Ouachita

Jeremiah Kindy has won the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Ouachita presented by SEVIIN with a three-day total of 52 pounds, 3 ounces.

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

February 17, 2024

Kindy notches first career Bassmaster Opens victory on Lake Ouachita

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Jeremiah Kindy has bass fished on Lake Ouachita since he could walk. In fact, he caught his first jig bass as a toddler around a set of islands 2 miles from Brady Mountain Recreation Area fishing with his dad and brother.

This week, he claimed the most impactful victory of his life by winning the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Ouachita presented by SEVIIN with a three-day total of 52 pounds, 3 ounces, earning the top prize of $44,295.

It was the Benton, Ark., native’s first Bassmaster Open appearance since the 2002 Central Open, which was also held at Ouachita.

“This is definitely the most important tournament I’ve ever won,” Kindy said. “It means the world. Just being able to compete and have so many family and friends here. Even if I wouldn’t have won, it would have been awesome. But to get this win is freaking amazing. For three days, I was the best angler on this lake. That’s pretty important.”

With bags of 19-7, 16-5 and 16-7, Kindy outlasted fellow Arkansan Matt Baker, who finished second with 46-13 and third-place Andy Newcomb who finished with 45-12. Although he isn’t currently signed up for the next two Opens in Division II, Kindy plans on fishing both of them, which will make him eligible for the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors, scheduled for March 21-23 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Since he began fishing tournaments as a teenager, Kindy has earned a reputation from fellow anglers as one of the best anglers on Lake Ouachita. With nearly 200 of the best anglers in the country coming to his home lake, many of whom planned on LiveScoping out deep, he knew he would have to do it his way if he wanted a shot at the win.

“The only way I thought I could win this tournament was to fish to my strengths, and that’s what I did,” he said. “I knew I couldn’t compete with the guys out in the middle of the lake. It set up right. The way we had them two warm days, some females moved up and I got fortunate enough to catch enough of them.”

Kindy’s success revolved around early prespawn staging areas on the main lake where big bass have historically pulled up first. The majority of his bites came up the lake in dirtier water on isolated stretches of bank.

“I ended up catching more than half of my fish up the lake,” Kindy said. “It was just key spots that I know they pull up on first. The places I caught them on, I will catch them in those same places in a month. It lasts a lot longer than people think.”

When the wind kicked up, Kindy moved down lake to clearer water and fished around hydrilla beds. The deep edge of the grass was located in 25 feet of water, but Kindy said the majority of the bass were between the bank and 14 feet of water. Mixed in with the grass were some black rocks, and the bass seemed to hover close to that warmth.

Kindy rotated through three different baits — a Norman Deep Little N crankbait in a chili bowl pattern, a 3/4-ounce Toledo gold-colored Booyah One Knocker and a 3/4-ounce Duo Realis lipless crankbait.

Temperatures rose to 65 degrees on Day 1 and Kindy opened the tournament by catching just under 20 pounds to land in fourth. While warm still, clouds and wind spread over the lake Day 2 and Kindy struggled most of the day, but rallied in the afternoon to take over the lead heading into Championship Saturday.

Air temperatures dropped close to freezing the final morning, which caused some misfortune for Kindy to start the day.

“I picked up my rod with my last Booyah XR75 and I guess my hand quit working. That rod went in the lake,” he explained. “I had my other Trap tied on, so I guess the Lord was telling me to throw that one. That is what I kept in my hands all day today, that Duo Realis one.”

From there, Kindy warmed up and was able to fill his limit by mid-morning around his grass related bass.

“Today was my favorite kind of day, windy and sunny,” he said. “You don’t get a better recipe.”

“It was all main-lake related,” Kindy continued. “I figured out something late yesterday that really helped me out. We had them two warm days and I had been catching them out over the grass. Well, with the cold front, a lot of the big ones stayed up shallow on the rocks.”

After hitting some key stuff early in the morning up the lake and not getting a bite, he returned later in the day and was able to catch three bass in a row to make a couple of key culls. He ended the day close to check-in and sealed the deal with a 3 1/2-pounder.

Entering the day in second place, Baker added 12-3 to his bags of 17-11 and 16-15 the first two days to claim second place.

“I definitely wasn’t fishing this one for second place, but I’m thankful and thankful for (Kindy),” Baker said. “He deserves it. He has 20 more years of knowledge on this place than I do. I’m thankful to be able to stand up on stage with him. That was special.”

The Glenwood, Ark., angler did a little bit of everything this week. Up the lake, he got bites throwing a War Eagle football jig and a spinnerbait. Baker also mixed in a Damiki rig and a jerkbait for bass he saw suspended on cover in the dirty water.

In clear water, he fished hydrilla beds and caught several kicker fish the first two days around that grass. A Booyah One Knocker and Hard Knocker were his best baits around the grass.

While he could see the bass on his forward-facing sonar, Baker struggled early on Day 3.

“They would come out of the structure to look at my jerkbait and it was like they were in slow motion today,” Baker said. “They were not fired up at all. I finally got one giant to eat it and I had him for a few seconds and broke him off. It was one of the right ones.”

After that, he moved into an area where the wind was blowing, began throwing his Booyah One Knocker and proceeded to fill his limit.

“This type of weather is reaction-bite weather,” he explained. “You have to be burning something. I knew it was a Trap day and I picked up the 1/2-ounce Booyah One Knocker. I weighed in my three best fish on it.”

After landing 18-0 and 14-10 the first two days, Newcomb caught four bass weighing 16-7 on the final day. He anchored his Day 3 bag with a 6-3 largemouth he caught with less than an hour left to go.

“Today was terrible,” Newcomb said. “I knew the cold was going to hurt what I was doing, but I didn’t know it was going to hurt it that bad. The bank I started on, I got a number of bites and got three of them to actually commit. I missed the majority of them. From there, it was done. I tried to force that shallow thing.”

The Camdenton, Mo., pro threw a Z-Man Evergreen JackHammer and a wacky-rigged Bait Cave Customs Slim Stick around shallow cover most of the week. The banks he targeted were “the ugliest” he could find. He said they tended to be flatter banks with isolated pieces of wood.

New York pro Zach Goutremout earned $750 for catching the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament, a 10-14 lunker largemouth he landed Day 2 using a Damiki rig. Canadian pro Evan Kung earned $500 in Garmin rewards.

By notching his second-straight Top 10 finish, Georgia’s Paul Marks leads the Tackle Warehouse Elite Qualifier points race with 390 points. Minnesota’s Easton Fothergill is second with 384 points, followed by Newcomb in third with 380, Kung in fourth with 376 and Missouri’s Joe Wieberg in fifth with 371. Alabama’s Tucker Smith (367), Georgia’s Emil Wagner (366), California’s Ish Monroe (360) and Texas’ Dakota Ebare (358) round out the Top 9 in points.

2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Ouachita presented by SEVIIN 2/15-2/17
Lake Ouachita, Hot Springs AR.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3

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

1. Jeremiah Kindy Benton, AR 15 52-03 200 $44,296.00
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 5 16-05 Day 3: 5 16-07
2. Matt Baker Glenwood, AR 15 46-13 199 $17,718.00
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 16-15 Day 3: 5 12-03
3. Andy Newcomb Camdenton, MO 14 45-12 198 $13,289.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 14-10 Day 3: 4 13-02
4. Logan Johnson Jasper, AL 14 44-14 197 $12,403.00
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 16-07 Day 3: 4 11-10
5. Blake Schroeder Whitehouse, TX 15 44-12 196 $11,517.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 14-02 Day 3: 5 13-00
6. Andrew Hargrove Moody, TX 13 44-03 195 $10,631.00
Day 1: 5 19-15 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 3 09-15
7. Christian Ostrander Turlock, CA 15 43-08 194 $9,745.00
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 19-14 Day 3: 5 10-13
8. Paul Marks Cumming, GA 15 42-08 193 $8,859.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 15-12 Day 3: 5 10-09
9. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 15 42-05 192 $9,359.00
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 13-01 Day 3: 5 09-11
10. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 14 38-02 191 $9,609.00
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 5 22-00 Day 3: 4 06-05
———————————————————————–
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 10-14 $750.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 141 852 2056-13
2 135 814 1911-13
3 6 45 113-11
———————————-
282 1711 4082-05

Riding Rainstorms for Giant Bass: Top Tips Unveiled

Brian Carter

February 17, 2024

Riding Rainstorms for Giant Bass: Top Tips Unveiled

AI Created Photo

Bracing against Mother Nature’s whims is an exciting dimension of any outdoor expedition, and fishing is no exception. The heated debate over whether or not one should go fishing in the rain is as old as the sport itself. The truth is, whether it’s a light drizzle or a torrential downpour, the rain can actually be a boon for avid hunters of the Giant Bass.

When spatters of rain pepper the surface of the lake, many anglers, both seasoned and novice, may retreat under their hoods. But for those willing to gear up and brave the conditions, the rain could be your secret ally. Yes, you heard right. Though a heavy downpour might seem daunting and might even introduce some challenges, it could also line up everything you need to land your trophy bass.

Before we delve into some invaluable tips on fishing in the rain, remember the golden rule: always have your rain gear ready! Don’t underestimate the role of a reliable rain suit when challenging the elements. Your comfort is crucial to persist and persevere. My personal favorite is the AFTCO Transformer Packable Fishing Jacket and Pants, which combines waterproof efficiency with versatility.

Now, let’s delve into some strategies that could increase your chances of reeling in that elusive giant bass during a rainstorm:

1. Seek the Runoff: Rainstorms produce runoff that pours into the river or lake, carrying along additional nutrients from the surrounding land. This attracts baitfish, which in turn draw in bass. Prioritize the areas where runoff is pouring in to capitalize on this phenomenon. Additionally, cloudy water caused by runoff is perfect for bass fishing. The murkiness obscures your boat and shadows, making bass less wary and more inclined to bite.
2. Leverage the Aggressiveness of Bass: Bass behavior morphs in the rain—they become active, constantly on the move. To catch these elusive aquatic beasts, match that energy. Rapidly present your bait and cover as much water as possible. Think strategically: these fish are likely darting about, from their hidden niches to areas teeming with baitfish.
3. Opt for Topwater: During a downpour, bass activity heightens at the water’s surface. Utilize this behavioral change by using topwater lures. Tools like buzz baits or jitterbugs stir the surface and capture attention.
4. Adjust Your Lure Selection: Quiet, finesse presentations might not cut it in rain-induced muddy water conditions. Instead, choose lures that generate noise and vibration. Consider using dark-colored soft plastics with scents like garlic, shad, or craw. This can stimulate bass hunting instincts even in murky waters.

The next time there’s a weather forecast predicting rain, don’t abandon your fishing plans. Instead, gear up, invite the thrill of the challenge, and remember these tips to help you catch giant bass. Although not everyone will agree, fishing in the rain can lead to a rewarding and exhilarating experience that you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Auburn University Angler Hayden Marbut Wins Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Guntersville

Brian Carter

February 17, 2024

Auburn University Angler Hayden Marbut Wins Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Guntersville

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. (Feb. 16, 2024) – Less than a week removed from 21-year-old phenom Drew Gill’s Tackle Warehouse Invitationals win at Sam Rayburn , 20-year-old Auburn University standout Hayden Marbut bested Gill (11th) Friday at Lake Guntersville in the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Central Division opener in impressive fashion, weighing in just a tick over 70 pounds of bass – the only angler in the field to crack the 70-pound mark over three days.

Like Gill at Rayburn, Marbut leaned on his aptitude with forward-facing sonar – not to mention his vast experience on Guntersville – to best an enormous field of 260 anglers. He did so with unmatched consistency, weighing in 22-10, 25-1 and 22-6, respectively, edging out Day 2 leader Matt O’Connell (69-15) by just 2 ounces.

For Marbut, the first major solo win of his bass fishing career adds to a stacked resume for a bass fishing phenom not even old enough to have a celebratory beer.

“I’m a junior this year and I’ll be a senior next year, but I plan on staying a fifth year,” he said. “I’ve fished so much the last couple years that there’s no chance of me graduating on time.

“I’ve been super fortunate. I won a high school national championship and was able to win two college national championships last year, and that’s kind of what drove me to compete at this level.”

One of the young anglers many turn to when discussing the future of the sport, Marbut’s affinity for catching big bass using forward-facing sonar is no surprise. At Guntersville, he caught all the fish he weighed in ‘Scoping, though it wasn’t as easy as just eyeballing some fish and casting to them.

After finishing fourth in the Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) event at Guntersville the previous weekend, Marbut spent the following few days practicing, trying to adjust to changing weather and water conditions. In the days that followed that BFL, current started ripping on Guntersville, blowing out formerly productive areas and completely changing the way fish were setting up.

“We had a lot of changing conditions this week,” he said. “Everything changed, and I had to adjust a lot. I had to find completely new fish. Everything I was fishing last week was blown out. The current really affected it.”

Because Marbut is from Birmingham and attends Auburn University, he’s spent what he estimates to be thousands of hours on Guntersville (“I’ve idled this entire lake just about and I can tell you just about where anything is out here”). As such, he was able to pivot to new, similarly productive plans that involved finding some cleaner water outside the ripping current of the main river.

“I had two main little places in an area that had a lot of bait, and I focused in on one of them today (Friday),” he said. “They were both just out of the current and there was a little bit cleaner water. I think that was something that was really special about them.

“There was clearer water, and I could get my bait down to them. They could see it from a little bit further. Trying to lead these fish with forward-facing sonar in this current and adjust with the wind and everything like that is hard to do. That cleaner water helped me get extra bites when I was looking at them.”

In those areas, bass were more prone to suspend (as opposed to sticking tight to the bottom around current breaks as the main-lake bass were often doing throughout the event), making them a little easier to target.

For the task, Marbut relied on a 3/8-ounce Picasso ball head tipped with a fluke-style bait, tied to 15-pound-test P-Line braid with a 12-pound-test P-Line fluorocarbon leader. That was spooled on 3000-size Shimano Sustain reels and a pair of different rods: A 6-foot-10 G. Loomis NRX+ and a 7-foot Hammer rod.

As for his Garmin LiveScope settings, Marbut kept it pretty simple and stuck with the range settings he’s used to: 90 feet out and 40 feet deep.

“That’s what I’ve gotten the most comfortable with,” he said. “I’ve been using that range for a long time and I’m able to hit them efficiently; I can really tell how big they are that way. You have to play with it a lot to understand and interpret everything that you’re reading on the LiveScope, but I’ve been able to look at the screen so much and get comfortable with that range that I’ve been able to target some of the bigger ones.”

That was certainly the case over three days at Guntersville. Marbut’s spots, both “way down the lake,” produced multiple 5- and 6-pound fish over the first two days and kicked out more than 20 pounds early in the day on Day 3. From there, it was just a matter of slowly culling up throughout the day for enough weight to eke out the win over O’Connell in second.

For the win, Marbut was awarded a $100,000 check (which included a $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus) and the pride of winning a major solo tournament so early in his fishing career. He’ll tell you, though, it wasn’t about the money.

“The money’s cool and all, but I’ve never fished for the money,” he said. “I just love bass fishing. This is what I do every single day, and it’s what I’m going to try to do every day for the rest of my life.”

The top 10 pros on Lake Guntersville finished:

1st:        Hayden Marbut, Birmingham, Ala., 15 bass, 70-1, $100,000
2nd:       Matt O’Connell, Brooks, Ga, 15 bass, 69-15, $28,300
3rd:       Mickey Beck, Lebanon, Tenn., 15 bass, 66-9, $18,000
4th:        Travis Alcock, Burlington, Wis., 15 bass, 65-15, $16,500
5th:        Jordan Wiggins, Cullman, Ala., 15 bass, 64-10, $15,000
6th:        Austin Swindle, Parrish, Ala., 15 bass, 64-4, $11,500
7th:        Dillon Falardeau, Hixson, Tenn., 15 bass, 63-1, $10,000
8th:        Clint Knight, Lewisburg, Ky., 15 bass, 62-11, $8,500
9th:        Logan Dyar, Cleveland, Ala., 13 bass, 62-2, $7,500
10th:     Michael Black, Toledo, Ill., 15 bass, 61-13, $5,500

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Pro Travis Alcock of Burlington, Wisconsin, earned the Day 1 $500 Berkley Big Bass Award on Wednesday with a largemouth weighing in at 8 pounds even, while Thursday’s Day 2 $500 Berkley Big Bass Award went to pro Matt O’Connell of Brooks, Georgia, who weighed in a nice 8-pound, 6-ounce largemouth.

Eric White of Cullman, Alabama, won the Strike King Co-angler Division Friday with a three-day total of 13 bass weighing 53 pounds, 1 ounce. Gonzalez took home the top co-angler prize package worth $38,500, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor and $5,000.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on Lake Guntersville finished:

1st:        Eric White, Cullman, Ala., 15 bass, 53-14, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp Mercury outboard + $5,000
2nd:       Mark Schlarb, Atwater, Ohio, 15 bass, 51-15, $8,000
3rd:       Ike Gillentine, Walling, Tenn., 15 bass, 51-4, $6,500
4th:        Rich Frey, Guntersville, Ala., 15 bass, 50-4, $5,000
5th:        Chris Bensel, Abbeville, S.C., 15 bass, 48-13, $4,650
6th:        Robert Russell, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 15 bass, 47-12, $3,750
7th:        Lenny Bays, Dayton, Ky., 15 bass, 47-11, $3,250
8th:        Brendan Johnson, Creal Springs, Ill., 15 bass, 46-5, $2,500
9th:        Brady Lunsmann, Citrus Springs, Fla., 15 bass, 45-13, $1,800
10th:     Dakota Bishop, Brodhead, Ky., 15 bass, 45-4, $1,600

Troy Calloway of Sylacauga, Alabama, earned Wednesday’s $150 Berkley Big Bass co-angler award with an 8-pound, 3-ounce largemouth, while the Day 2 $150 co-angler award on Thursday went to Luke Kerstetter of Brookfield, Wisconsin, with a 7-pound, 1-ounce bass.

The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Guntersville was hosted by the Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce. It was the first of three regular-season tournaments for the Toyota Series Central Division. The next event for the Toyota Series Central Division will be the Toyota Series at Smith Lake, April 4-6, in Cullman, Alabama. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The 2024 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and the Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the six divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2025. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2024 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 7-9 on Wheeler Lake in Huntsville, Alabama, and is hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Madison County Commission, and the Huntsville Sports Commission.

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

For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

1...959697...1,383 Page 96 of 1,383

basscastPRO

basscastPRO

The Bass CastYour Tourney News Headquarters

The Bass CastPRO

Bass Cast Radio Announces Exciting New Podcast Show: Before the 1st Cast

Arkansas’ Edwards Notches Second BFL Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Table Rock Lake

Marietta’s Anderson Starts Season with Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Lanier

Power/Rigging Solutions for All Outdoors Activities

2024 Bassmaster Elite: Fresh Talents, Unpredictable Triumphs

Success & Safety On Big Water Ice

Kindy notches first career Bassmaster Opens victory on Lake Ouachita

Riding Rainstorms for Giant Bass: Top Tips Unveiled

Auburn University Angler Hayden Marbut Wins Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Lake Guntersville

The Bass CastPRO

Follow Us

The latest

Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Tournament to Visit Watts Bar Lake

Texarkana’s Wright Patman Lake Set for Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Tournament

Fogleman & Stalling Win 5 Alive/STATE CONSTRUCTION Fall Trail Tournament #2- Kerr Lake