Reese Rocks Period Two to End with 43 Pounds

Major League Fishing Live Action Continues on the Kissimmee Chain Tuesday with First $25,000 Big Bass Bonus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 8, 2020 (Kissimmee, Fla.) Major League Fishing (MLF) continued with live-sports action hosting their biggest event of the year on the Kissimmee Chain. General Tire Pro Skeet Reese leads Group B after the first day of the Qualifying Round in the inaugural Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo, featuring three-quarters of a million dollars in payouts. Fellow General Tire Pro Mark Rose caught a nine-pound, two-ounce largemouth late in the third period to take the lead in Group B for the Heavy Hitters $25,000 big-fish bonus. Group A returns to the water Tuesday for the final day of their Qualifying Round where Favorite Fishing Pro Zack Birge currently holds a 17-pound lead over the rest of the field. The competition continues daily through Friday.

On Sunday MLF resumed the 2020 Bass Pro Tour season after an 80-day, mid-season pause to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Due to the socially distant nature of competitive bass fishing and the unique MLF format, MLF moved forward with live competition while other professional sports remain paused. The MLF format, which features catch, weigh, and-immediately release, eliminates a traditional weigh-in by weighing the fish on the boat and recording the cumulative weight in the proprietary SCORETRACKER® over each three period, nine-hour day.

After a scoreless first period, Skeet Reese logged 30 pounds in 65 minutes into SCORETRACKER® after moving locations and abandoning his practice. Using a Lucky Craft 1.5 square bill crankbait in copper green shad and Trilene® 15-pound fluoracarbon, Reese ended the day with 43 pounds, eight ounces on 12 total fish. When his pre-game strategy didn’t appear to pay-off in practice or Period one, Reese said he went with his gut.

“In day one of practice, I never caught a keeper; the second day, I caught five or six keepers but random stuff over 12 hours. I fished those areas again this morning and ended up frustrated with no keepers by the end of the first period,” reflected Reese. “I needed to do something different, so I headed to an area where I had seen some schooling. It was hard to get in there; I jumped a sand bar. My intuition paid off; this is a nice way to start back on the Bass Pro Tour with Heavy Hitters on Kissimmee!”

Once he took the lead in Period 2, Reese held on through the end of the competition despite a solid run by both Mark Rose and David Walker. Rose, who ended the day with 38 pounds, nine ounces, caught 25 pounds in the third period alone, including the Berkley Big Bass of the day, which tipped the scale at nine pounds, two ounces. After a slow first Period, Rose said he regrouped to gain some confidence before landing the lunker.

“I don’t know what happened there in the morning,” said Rose who only caught two scorable bass in the first period. “I needed to clear my head; so, I ran, found a new spot to make sure my timing was right, then got back out there and they bit a little more this afternoon. We definitely have our work cut out for us to try to win this round; we will see what we can do.”

Walker ended the day with the most scorable bass at 13 and a total weight of 37 pounds, five ounces, only one pound, four ounces behind Rose. Walker posited a steady catch-rate all day by switching bait and locations periodically. He landed his largest bass, which weighed four pounds, six ounces, on a crankbait in moving water at the close of Period 2.

In addition to the traditional payout schedule based on finishing order, Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo bonuses the angler for the biggest bass caught in each Group. The two-day Qualifying Rounds (June 7-10) will pay a $25,000 big bass bonus ($50,000 total). The Knockout Round on day five (June 11), will feature a $50,000 big bass bonus, while the Championship Round (June 12) will feature a $100,000 big bass bonus, on top of the Stage Title $100,000 prize. Despite Mark Daniels Jr. holding the lead much of the day with a 7-15, Rose’s 9-2 late in Period 3 landed him in the lead for the $25,0000 “Heavy Hitter” big fish bonus for Qualifying Round, Group B, which concludes on Wednesday.

The Top Ten of Day One, Qualifying Group A finished as follows:

Place	Angler	Total Weight	Total Fish	Largest Fish
1	Skeet Reese	43-08	12	4-13
2	Mark Rose	38-09	11	9-02
3	David Walker	37-05	13	4-06
4	Jeff Kriet	25-00	8	4-12
5	David Dudley	20-12	7	4-01
6	Jonathon VanDam	20-01	7	4-15
7	James Elam	19-13	5	6-11
8	Chris Lane	19-10	6	4-12
9	Jeff Sprague	18-14	6	4-15
10	Takahiro Omori	18-06	5	4-15

For complete results, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com, Bass Pro Tour, Results.

The competition continues Tuesday when Group A returns for their second and last day of Qualifying Round. The anglers who finish in 21-40^th place in Group A will be eliminated, which the top 20 will advance to the Knockout Round on Thursday. The winner of Group A will earn an automatic berth to Friday’s Championship Round or the opportunity to fish in the Knockout Round and a chance to land the $50,000 big bass bonus. Major League Fishing rules indicate that if the Qualifying Round Group winner chooses to fish Knockout Round, they forfeit their automatic berth and will need to secure a top-ten finish in the Knockout Round to advance to the Championship. Favorite Fishing Pro Zack Birge leads Group A by 17 pounds. Brent Ehrler leads the $25,000 Heavy Hitters bonus with an eight-pound, six-ounce largemouth.

In response to the shortened season, MLF revised the payout schedule for Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo to include all 80 anglers: 1^st $100,000; 2^nd $40,000; 3^rd $15,000; 4^th $13,000; 5^th $12,000; 6^th $11,000; 7^th $10,000; 8^th $9,000; 9^th $8,000; 10^th$7,000; 11^th – 20^th $6,000; 21^st – 40^th $5,000; 41^st – 80^th $4,000. Each competitor is guaranteed a $4,000 check.

Pending no weather delays, the day begins with launch at Big Toho Marina, Kissimmee, Fla., 6:15 a.m. ET before lines-in at 7:00 a.m. Period 1 ends at 9:30 a.m. Period 2 spans 9:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. Period 3 begins at 12:30 p.m. and lasts until day’s end at 3:00 p.m. The General Tire Takeout show airs approximately 3 – 4 p.m. from the water. Fans can catch all the action every day of competition on MLFNOW! livestream on MajorLeagueFishing.com or download the MLF App for your Apple or GooglePlaydevice or on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV).

Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo on the Kissimmee Chain will air on Discovery Channel as six, two-hour original episodes beginning August 15. For additional details, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com/tv-schedule.

by AnglersChannel

McAlester’s Eldridge and Bokchito’s Burkett Earn Wins at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Double-Header on Eufaula Lake

Co-angler Division Victories Go to Kansas’ Schmidt & Claremore’s Bradfield

EUFAULA, Okla. (June 1, 2020) – It was a double-header for bass anglers this past weekend in Eufaula with the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine on Eufaula Lake events. FLW, the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, rescheduled the events after the coronavirus pandemic forced the organization to pause competition in mid-March.

Boater Heath Eldridge of McAlester, Oklahoma, brought five bass to the scale totaling 18 pounds, 1 ounce to win Saturday’s event, while boater Hayden Burkett of Bokchito, Oklahoma, brought in three bass weighing 15 pounds, 8 ounces, on Sunday to earn the win. Eldridge earned a total of $5,380 for his victory and Burkett won Sunday’s top prize of $5,779.

“I had boat issues, so I only was able to run 3 or 4 miles from takeoff,” said Eldridge, who earned his first BFL victory as a boater. “There was no wind, but there was a lot of boat traffic, so I found some current near some rip rap on bridges and that turned out to be the key area.”

Eldridge said the majority of his bass came on a shaky-head rig with a junebug-colored GrandeBass Airtail worm, but he also added a solid keeper on a shad-colored Bomber crankbait.

The top five boaters on Saturday were:

1^st: Heath Eldridge of McAlester, Okla., five bass, 18-1, $5,380

2^nd: Brandon Mosley of Choctaw, Okla., five bass, 16-13, $2,690

3^rd: Jeremy Whitson of Denison, Texas, five bass, 16-7, $1,794

4^th: Nick Kincaid of Coweta, Okla., five bass, 15-5, $1,255

5^th: Mark Johnson of Weleetka, Okla., five bass, 15-1, $1,031

5^th: Samuel Byrd of Tahlequah, Okla., five bass, 15-1, $1,031

Complete results for Saturday can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Cory Carter of Muskogee, Oklahoma, brought a 5-pound, 11-ounce bass to the scale to win Saturday’s Boater Big Bass award of $855.

Justin Lillie of Edmond, Oklahoma, was the highest-finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member and took home an extra $500. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $7,000 per event in each Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.

Chad Schmidt of Clearwater, Kansas, won the Co-angler Division and $2,690 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 13 pounds, 15 ounces.

The top five co-anglers Saturday finished as follows:

1^st: Chad Schmidt of Clearwater, Kan., five bass, 13-15, $2,690

2^nd: Billy Johnson of McAlester, Okla., five bass, 12-11, $1,345

3^rd: Randy Staton of Muskogee, Okla., five bass, 12-10, $899

4^th: Eli Brumnett of Wagoner, Okla., five bass, 12-9, $628

5^th: Bill Black of McAlester, Okla., five bass, 12-3, $538

Danny Kindle of Stilwell, Oklahoma, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division Saturday, weighing in at 4 pounds, 8 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $427.

Due to the extreme heat on Sunday, Tournament Director Robert Evans made the decision to change the format to a three-fish limit – instead of the normal five – and opened the scales at noon for anyone that wanted to weigh their fish early.

Hayden Burkett took advantage of Evans change, bringing in three bass – including the day’s big bass – right at noon and earning the win.

“I was mainly cranking them a little bit, but I also had a little dock pattern going,” said Burkett. “Everywhere I went today, I was catching them. I caught a big one out deep, and I caught a big one fishing docks.”

Burkett mentioned his crankbait of choice was a Sexy Shad-colored Strike King Series 6, but did not divulge the baits that he used on the docks.

The top five boaters on Sunday were:

1^st: Hayden Burkett of Bokchito, Okla., three bass, 15-8, $5,779

2^nd: Jeremy Whitson of Denison, Texas, three bass, 15-4, $2,507

3^rd: James Marsh of Thomas, Okla., three bass, 12-1, $1,670

4^th: Lance Williams of Billings, Mo., three bass, 11-1, $1,170

5^th: Dane Coale of Norman, Okla., three bass, 10-13, $1,003

Complete results for Sunday’s event on Dale Hollow can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Burkett brought a 7-pound, 13-ounce lunker to the scale Sunday to add to his winnings and earn the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $765.

Steve Bradfield of Claremore, Oklahoma, won the Co-angler Division and $2,474 Sunday after catching three bass weighing 8 pounds, 13 ounces.

The top five co-anglers Sunday finished as follows:

1^st: Steve Bradfield of Claremore, Okla., three bass, 8-13, $2,474

2^nd: Dalton Ross of Centerton, Ark., three bass, 8-9, $1,237

3^rd: Raymond Moody of Norman, Okla., three bass, 8-7, $824

4^th: Cody Abbott of Fort Gibson, Okla., three bass, 8-2, $536

4^th: Hunter Alsip of Chouteau, Okla., three bass, 8-2, $536

Michael Wood of Guthrie, Oklahoma caught Sunday’s largest bass in the Co-angler Division, weighing in at 5 pounds, 1 ounce. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $377.

The 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Double-Header on Eufaula Lake was the first and second of five qualifying events in the Okie Division.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the Okie Division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 22-24 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, hosted by ExploreBranson.com. Boaters will compete for a $60,000 prize package, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new 18-foot Phoenix bass boat with a 200-horsepower outboard.

The 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.

The 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American will be held Nov. 11-13 at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina and is hosted by Visit Anderson. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division earn priority entry into the FLW Series, the pathway to the FLW Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour, where top pros compete with no entry fees.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

Thomas Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League on High Rock Lake, Earns Lucrative PHOENIX Bonus

Salisbury’s File Wins Co-angler Division

SALISBURY, N.C. (June 8, 2020) – Boater Jason Thomas of Lexington, North Carolina, earned the win Saturday at the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine event at High Rock Lake after bringing a five-bass limit to the scale weighing 17 pounds, 10 ounces. For his victory, Thomas earned a total of $11,794, including the lucrative $7,000 FLW PHOENIX Bonus contingency award. The victory was the first win of Thomas’ FLW career.

"I’m good friends with a lot of guys that have wins, so this is really a nice notch in my belt,” said Thomas. “I was out practicing every day this week and it was a huge advantage for me – it showed me where not to fish.”

Thomas mainly focused on the creeks of High Rock Lake during the tournament, paying special attention to Second Creek where he seemed to catch most of his fish.

“Pretty much the only creeks that I didn’t fish today were Abbott’s Creek, or up the river,” Thomas said. “I caught a few on a jig, but then things got tough and I switched to a shaky-head rig to fill out my limit.

Thomas said his jig of choice was a ½-ounce Shooter Jig with a Strike King Rage Bug trailer, and he threw a 3/8-ounce shaky-head rig with a Zoom Trick Worm.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament as follows:

1^st: Jason Thomas of Lexington, N.C., five bass, 17-10, $11,794

2^nd: Doug Young of Salisbury, N.C, four bass, 16-11, $1,897

3^rd: Scott Henley of Randleman, N.C., five bass, 15-13, $1,265

4^th: Jack Dice of Lynchburg, Va., five bass, 15-7, $885

5^th: Robert Walser of Lexington, N.C., five bass, 13-11, $759

6^th: Mike Miller of Trinity, N.C., five bass, 13-10, $664

6^th: Rick Tilley of Moneta, Va., five bass, 13-10, $664

8^th: James Funk of Chesapeake, Va., five bass, 13-5, $569

9^th: Landon Whicker of Winston-Salem, N.C., five bass, 12-12, $506

10^th: Randall Vanlear of Madison Heights, Va., five bass, 12-10, $443

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Craig Wright of Rustburg, Virginia, claimed the day’s Boater Big Bass Award of $495 after bringing a 5-pound, 15-ounce bass to the scale.

Thomas took home an extra $7,000 as the highest finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $7,000 per event in each Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.

Tom File of Salisbury, North Carolina, won the Co-angler Division and $1,897 Saturday after catching three bass weighing 10 pounds, 6 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished as follows:

1^st: Tom File of Salisbury, N.C., three bass, 10-6, $1,897

2^nd: Orlando Giles of Lexington, N.C., four bass, 10-5, $949

3^rd: Anthony Rife of Max Meadows, Va., three bass, 9-14, $538

3^rd: Terry Graham of Leesburg, Va., four bass, 9-14, $538

5^th: Jesse Jodon of Windber, Pa., three bass, 8-4, $379

6^th: Brandon Shaver of Albemarle, N.C., three bass, 8-0, $332

6^th: Micah Speights of Oakboro, N.C., three bass, 8-0, $332

8^th: Michael Trivette of Blackstone, Va., three bass, 7-14, $285

9^th: Barry Burford of Charlotte, N.C., two bass, 7-10, $253

10^th: David Miller of China Grove, N.C., two bass, 7-9, $221

Martin Rushing of Albemarle, North Carolina, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, weighing in at 5 pounds, 9 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $247.

The 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine on High Rock Lake was the opening event of five qualifying tournaments in the Piedmont division.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the Piedmont Division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 22-24 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Georgia, hosted by the Gainesville Convention & Visitors Bureau. Boaters will compete for a $60,000 prize package, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new 18-foot Phoenix bass boat with a 200-horsepower outboard.

by AnglersChannel

Cooper and West Liberty’s Adkins Earn Wins at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Double-Header on Dale Hollow Lake

Co-angler Division Wins Go to Flintville’s Gault & Stanford’s Dean

BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. (June 8, 2020) – It was a double-header for bass anglers this past weekend in Byrdstown with the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine on Dale Hollow Lake events. FLW, the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, rescheduled the events after the coronavirus pandemic forced the organization to pause competition in mid-March.

Boater Dustin Cooper of Livingston, Tennessee, brought a five-bass limit to the scale totaling 18 pounds, 3 ounces to win Saturday’s event, while Brad Adkins of West Liberty, Kentucky, brought in a limit weighing 18 pounds, 8 ounces on Sunday to earn the win. Cooper earned a total of $5,763 for his victory Saturday while Adkins won Sunday’s top prize of $5,584.

“I fished on the lower end of the lake, close to the dam,” said Cooper, who earned the first win of his career. “I was fishing offshore humps all day, throwing a Zoom Ol’ Monster worm.

“I’ve got a lot of experience here, and it paid off big for me. I know where the fish like to go in their summertime patterns and it worked out today.”

The top five boaters on Saturday were:

1^st: Dustin Cooper of Livingston, Tenn., five bass, 18-3, $5,763

2^nd: Nick Ratliff of Vine Grove, Ky., five bass, 17-13, $3,091

3^rd: Marcus Jackson of Rockwood, Tenn., five bass, 16-2, $1,216

3^rd: Blake Smith of Byrdstown, Tenn., five bass, 16-2, $1,216

3^rd: Eric Foister of Clarksville, Tenn., five bass, 16-2, $1,216

Complete results for Saturday can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Ratliff brought a 5-pound, 4-ounce bass to the scale to win Saturday’s Boater Big Bass award of $710.

Seth Davis of Harrison, Tennessee, was the highest-finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member and took home an extra $500 Saturday. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $7,000 per event in each Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.

Alex Gault of Flintville, Tennessee, won the Co-angler Division and $2,381 Saturday after catching a five-bass limit weighing 15 pounds, 3 ounces.

The top five co-anglers Saturday finished as follows:

1^st: Alex Gault of Flintville, Tenn., five bass, 15-3, $2,381

2^nd: Wayne Crouch of Jamestown, Tenn., five bass, 12-11, $1,191

3^rd: Tracy Helton of London, Ky., five bass, 12-2, $673

3^rd: Bryce Shockley of Byrdstown, Tenn., five bass, 12-2, $673

5^th: Bert Kissick of Danville, Ky., five bass, 12-0, $476

Dakota Cantrell of Decherd, Tennessee, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division Saturday, weighing in at 4 pounds, 2 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $355.

On Sunday, Adkins won the event flipping a jig, throwing a Carolina rig and on a crankbait.

“I caught a big one early flipping, then it really slowed down on me,” Adkins said. “Around 11 o’clock I caught two on a Carolina rig. A little later my co-angler caught one on a drop-shot rig and when he brought that fish up, there were 40 to 50 fish right with it.

“So, I picked up a crankbait and caught them right then in a flurry. It happened quick and was magical for about 30 minutes. It was one of the same spots where I caught a few Saturday, but today it was just lights out.

“When it’s your time, it’s your time and everything just came together for me,” Adkins went on to say.

The top five boaters on Sunday were:

1^st: Brad Adkins of West Liberty, Ky., five bass, 18-8, $5,584

2^nd: Blake Smith of Byrdstown, Tenn., five bass, 16-3, $2,292

3^rd: Talmadge Marcum of McKee, Ky., five bass, 15-0, $1,529

4^th: Eric Foister of Clarksville, Tenn., five bass, 14-14, $1,070

5^th: Josh Bolen of Wayland, Ky., five bass, 13-10, $917

Complete results for Sunday’s event on Dale Hollow can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Sam Morgan of Coalmont, Tennessee, brought a 4-pound, 11-ounce bass to the scale to win Sunday’s Boater Big Bass award of $675.

William Merrick of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, was Sunday’s highest-finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member and took home an extra $500.

Jimmy Dean of Stanford, Kentucky, won the Co-angler Division and $2,292 Sunday after catching five bass weighing 15 pounds, 13 ounces.

The top five co-anglers Sunday finished as follows:

1^st: Jimmy Dean of Stanford, Ky., five bass, 15-13, $2,292

2^nd: Wayne Crouch of Jamestown, Tenn., five bass, 12-15, $1,146

3^rd: Bill Haunert of Byrdstown, Tenn., five bass, 12-9, $765

4^th: Brandon Barker of Nicholasville, Ky., five bass, 12-8, $496

4^th: Jared Rudd of Salyersville, Ky., five bass, 12-8, $496

Doug Dewar of Burlington, Kentucky, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, weighing in at 4 pounds, 3 ounces. The catch earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $337.

The 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Double-Header on Dale Hollow Lake was hosted by Star Point Marina & Resort. It was the second and third of five qualifying events in the Mountain Division.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the Mountain Division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 8-10 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Lake Chickamauga in Dayton, Tennessee, hosted by the Rhea Economic & Tourism Council. Boaters will compete for a $60,000 prize package, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new 18-foot Phoenix bass boat with a 200-horsepower outboard.

by AnglersChannel

Barnett Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Indian Lake

Okeana’s Jones Wins Co-angler Division

LAKEVIEW, Ohio (June 8, 2020) – Boater John Barnett of Huntsville, Ohio, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 13 pounds even to win the 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine event at Indian Lake in Lakeview, Ohio. For his victory, Barnett earned a total of $4,872.

The tournament was the first of five events in the Buckeye Division presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps.

“I fished on the north end of the lake, by Long Island,” said Barnett, who earned his first career FLW win. “I was punching a mixture of grass – a lot of coon tails – keying in on patches that had deeper water around it. I got most of my good bites around 3½- to 4-foot-deep, which on this lake is relatively deep.”

Although he didn’t divulge any specifics, Barnett said he punched with both beaver- and craw-type baits with ¾- and 1¼-ounce weights, cycling through different setups to see what the bass wanted.

“I found those fish two weeks ago and pretty much just expanded on my area,” Barnett went on to say. “I had a set game plan of what I wanted to do in this tournament, and everything worked out for me.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament as follows:

1^st: John Barnett of Huntsville, Ohio., five bass, 13-0, $4,872

2^nd: Brody Campbell of Oxford, Ohio, five bass, 12-13, $2,436

3^rd: Benjamin Quisno of Maineville, Ohio, five bass, 11-4, $1,623

4^th: Gaige Hennon of New Hampshire, Ohio, five bass, 11-3, $1,137

5^th: Robert Grosse of Thornville, Ohio, five bass, 11-0, $1,474

6^th: Douglas Lyon of Cincinnati, Ohio, five bass, 10-10, $893

7^th: Todd Miller of Hamilton, Ohio, five bass, 10-8, $812

8^th: Ronald Nutter of Newark, Ohio, five bass, 10-5, $731

9^th: Michael Nesbitt of St. Paris, Ohio, five bass, 10-3, $609

9^th: Brandon Cline of Wheelersburg, Ohio, five bass, 10-3, $609

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

William Redmond of Sciotoville, Ohio, claimed the day’s Boater Big Bass Award of $735 after bringing a 4-pound bass to the scale.

Grosse was the highest-finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member and took home an extra $500. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $7,000 per event in each Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.

Brent Jones of Okeana, Ohio, won the Co-angler Division and $2,436 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 9 pounds, 4 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished as follows:

1^st: Brent Jones of Okeana, Ohio, five bass, 9-4, $2,436

2^nd: Eric Wild of Brooklyn, Mich., five bass, 8-12, $1,383

2^nd: Jefferey Shields of Covington, Ohio, five bass, 8-12, $1,016

4^th: John McKenzie of Athens, Ohio, five bass, 8-8, $568

5^th: Aaron Stahley of Batavia, Ohio, five bass, 8-7, $487

6^th: Joel Berelsman of Minster, Ohio, five bass, 7-15, $447

7^th: James Mayle of Newark, Ohio, four bass, 7-10, $406

8^th: Chris McCusker of Beaver Falls, Pa., four bass, 7-9, $345

8^th: Steve Sorrell of Beavercreek, Ohio, five bass, 7-9, $345

10^th: Jeff Gauspohl of Dayton, Ky., four bass, 7-8, $284

Wild caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, weighing in at 3 pounds, 11 ounces. The catch added to his winnings as he earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $367.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the Buckeye Division presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 16-18 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Cherokee Lake in Jefferson City, Tennessee, hosted by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. Boaters will compete for a $60,000 prize package, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new 18-foot Phoenix bass boat with a 200-horsepower outboard.

by AnglersChannel

Inaugural Alabama Bass Trail 100 Series Sells Out in less than Two Days

Decatur, Ala. (June 4, 2020) – Tournament officials announce registration is closed for the inaugural 2021 Alabama Bass Trail (ABT) 100 Series, with all 100 of the available boat entries selling out in 39 hours. The 2021 ABT 100 series gets underway January 9.

Registration for the 2021 ABT 100 Series opened to the public June 1, 2020, and reached its limit within 39 hours. “The Alabama Bass Trail 100 was created to continue efforts to grow the economic impacts of tourism in smaller lakeside communities. We are thrilled to have anglers, including 10 professional anglers, from 12 states competing in these events while showcasing our lakes to the world. I can't thank the anglers, sponsors and host cities enough for believing in the Alabama Bass Trail 100,” said Kay Donaldson, program director for the Alabama Bass Trail.

According to Donaldson, teams will be traveling from 12 states, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois and Texas to compete in the 2021 ABT 100 series. The Alabama Bass Trail and its tournaments create an estimated economic impact of over $3 million dollars for the state of Alabama annually.

The ABT 100 Series is open to professional and amateur anglers and features three tournaments. Tournament dates and locations for 2021 Alabama Bass Trail 100 Series:

January 9, 2021 Lay Lake / hosted by Shelby County Commission

June 5, 2021 Lake Eufaula / hosted by Eufaula-Barbour Chamber of Commerce

November 20, 2021 Lake Guntersville / hosted by Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Each tournament features a $25,000 guaranteed first place prize and pays 20 places plus a $1,000 big fish totaling $100,000.

Payout Schedule:

First place $25,000

Second place $12,500

Third place $10,000

Fourth place $ 9,000

Fifth place $ 7,500

Sixth place $ 6,000

Seventh place $ 5,000

Eighth place $ 4,000

Ninth place $ 3,000

Tenth place $ 2,000

11th – 20th $ 1,500 each

Big Fish $ 1,000

The ABT 100 Series will be televised on Fox Sports Southeast later in 2021. The weigh-in and live leaderboard will be streamed live on www.AlabamaBassTrail100.org and on Facebook at Alabama Bass Trail 100 Series.

ABT 100 Series sponsors include Phoenix Bass Boats, FishAlabama.org, Bill Penney Toyota, America’s First Federal Credit Union, American Baitworks, T-H Marine Supplies, Inc., Wedowee Marine and Garmin.

For more information, call Donaldson at 855.934.7425 or visit online at www.AlabamaBassTrail100.org, on Facebook at Alabama Bass Trail 100 Series and on Instagram at albasstrail100.

First Name	Last Name	City	State	First Name	Last Name	City	State
Lee	Holmes	Talladega	AL	Alan	Guinn	Talladega	AL
Eric	Morris	Lineville	AL	Alex	Davis	Albertville	AL
Walt	Roberts	Gautier	MS	Justin	Sward	D'iberville	MS
Gerald	Swindle	Guntersville	AL	Ryan	Anaya	Eva	AL
Steve	Hatfield	Ashland	OH	Jim	Leary	Guntersville	AL
Rusty	Mask	Dadeville	AL	Cody	Farr	Alexander City	AL
Ken	Walters	Deatsville	AL	Dallas	Weldon	Tallassee	AL
Travis	Clemen	Clarks Hill	IN	Ricky	Clemen	Lebanon	MO
Ashley	Brasher	Clanton	AL	Roger	Perkins	Verbena	AL
Shane	Meers	Rome	GA	James	Meers	Rome	GA
James	Blount	Kinsey	AL	Robert	Blount	Dothan	Al
Phillip	Dukes	Rainsville	AL	Bailey	Dukes	Rainsville	AL
David	Pair	Abbeville	AL	Chad	Wise	Dothan	AL
Teron	Prince	New hope	AL	Jeff	Stubblefield	Grant	AL
Kevin	Allman	Bryson City	NC	Jack	Tibbs	Eufaula	AL
Paul	Thornton	Laurel	MS	James	Carter	Laurel	MS
Darian	Kyle	Athens	AL	Billy	Adcock	Athens	AL
Mike	Rasco	Madison	AL	Eric	Johnson	Columbus	IN
Matthew	Adams	Oxford	AL	Jason	Borden	Union Grove	AL
James	Grogan	Fort Mitchell	AL	Ryan	Ingram	Phenix City	AL
Greg	Lamb	Birchwood	TN	Jason	Lambert	Miche	TN
Scott	Canterbury	Odenville	AL	Terry	Stevens	Marianna	FL
Jerry	Evans	Semmes	AL	Cody	Evans	Semmes	AL
Kevin	Stubblefield	Guntersville	AL	Scott	Randles	Grant	AL
Derrick	Smith	Waleksa	GA	Brian	Shook	Taylorsville	GA
Walker	Kent	Chelsea	AL	Nick	Harris	Alabaster	AL
Heath	Greene	Eufaula	AL	Ethan	Greene	Eufaula	AL
Sean	Kendrick	Calera	AL	Tommy	Leverette	Chelsea	AL
Randy	Tolbert jr	Rome	GA	Josh	Butler	Hayden	AL
Charlie	Williams	Lagrange	GA	Michael	Smith	Luthersville	GA
Wesley	Sams	Vinemont	AL	Jordan	Wiggins	Cullman	AL
Jordan	Lee	Cullman	AL	Wes	Ward	Guntersville	AL
Tim	Daily	Tuscaloosa	AL	Todd	Watkins	Berry	Al
Matthew	Fincher	Tuscumbia	AL	Jacob	Kimbrough	Florence	AL
William	Tager	Arab	AL	Ray	Baker	Madison	AL
Scott	Dondlinger	Birmingham	AL	Garrett	Warren	Hoover	AL
Dale	Manning	Scottsboro	AL	Kevin	Beasley	Hollywood	AL
Thomas	Garbacz	Cumming	GA	Frank	Spacil	Downers Grove	IL
Shane	Horton	Wilsonville	AL	Brandon	Horton	Wilsonville	AL
Wendell	Edgil	Winfield	AL	Charlie	Harris	Athens	AL
Aaron	Knott	Anoka	MN	Adam	Bartusek	Lakeville	MN
Daniel	Robison	Collinsville	AL	Brody	Robison	Collinsville	AL
Jerry	Hartline	Cedartown	GA	Robbin	Vaughn	Arley	AL
Ethan	Franklin	Hayden	AL	Hunter	Mccarty	Hayden	AL
Ronnie	Ray	Phenix City	AL	Danny	Cotney	Camp Hill	AL
Blaine	Stevens	Ozark	AL	Mark	Tindol	New Brockton	AL
Jason	Cannon	Lawrenceburg	TN	Michael	Brewer	Lawrenceburg	TN
Jackie	Flack	Cullman	AL	Ethan	Flack	Baileyton	AL
Lisa	Johnson	Centre	AL	Mike	Johnson	Centre	AL
Anthony	Goggins	Clanton	AL	Dustin	Wood	Eufaula	AL
Don	Thomas	Smith Station	Al	Scott	Flournoy	Salem	AL
Paul	Davis	Pell City	AL	Josh	Chapple	Pell City	AL
William	Davis jr.	Sylacauga	AL	Scott	Montgomery	Eufaula	AL
Philip	Junkin	Northport	AL	Joe	Bridges	Northport	AL
Ronald	Terry	Seale	AL	Taylor	Terry	Seale	AL
Taylor	Ashley	Warrior	AL	Chase	Kanute	Warrior	AL
Caleb	Mcneal	Prattville	AL	Taylor	Luna	Prattville	AL
Tim	Hurst	Oxford	AL	Mark	McCaig	Oxford	AL
Brent	Crow	Hartselle	Al	Jssse	Wiggins	Logan	AL
Jimmy	Miller	Eclectic	AL	Mark	Stillwell	Eclectic	AL
Jeston	Anderson	Mobile	Al	Lee	Carpenter	Wilmer	AL
Robert	Croxton	Lilburn	GA	Mark	Compton	Lilburn	GA
Logan	Johnson	Tuscaloosa	AL	Jeremy	Christian	Mccalla	AL
Jonathan	Collins	Vinemont	AL	Derek	Hicks	Dalton	GA
Sam	Long	Gadsden	AL	Jason	Atkins	Section	AL
Randal	Hamilton	Plantersville	AL	Randal	Hamilton	Plantersville	AL
Jace	Thompson	Opelika	AL	Thomas	Eden	Salem	AL
Clent	Davis	Montevallo	AL	Lance	Poe	Jemison	AL
Nicholas	Turner	Clanton	AL	Joe	Lay	Coker	AL
Brian	Adamson	Bowdon	GA	Ryan	Lloyd	Carrolton	GA
Matt	Henry	Milledgeville	GA	Justin	Kimmel	Athens	GA
Brain	Stiffler	Pelham	AL	Chad	Hall	Cullman	AL
Kristian	Cabarcas	Springfield	TN	Kendale	Roach	Lebanon	TN
Matt	Lee	Bremen	AL	Grant	Hopson	Bremen	AL
Jimmy	Whaley	Mcdonough	GA	Terry	Adams	Mansfield	GA
Timothy	Hatcher	Trussville	AL	Bob	Behrle	Hoover	AL
Kyle	Schuchard	Mulga	AL	Adam	Christen	Arab	AL
Morgan	Brown	Spanish Fort	AL	Michael	Roush	Mobile	AL
Justin	Lynch	Guntersville	AL	Nathan	Martin	Tuscumbia	AL
Waylon	Mullis	Duncanville	AL	Ridge	Mullis	Duncanville	AL
Mickey	Mchenry	Eatonton	GA	Kim	Carver	Milledgeville	GA
Jason	Christy	Jackson's Gap	AL	Brandon	Pritchard	Auburn	AL
John	Brown	Wedowee	AL	Trey	Sorrells	Wedowee	AL
Andy	Chappell	Warrior	AL	Johnny	McCombs	Morris	AL
Nolen	Spencer	Beechgrove	TN	Robby	Spencer	Shelbyville	TN
Matt	Allen	Lewisburg	TN	Ted	Paisley	Christana	TN
Joel	Green	Moulton	AL	Allen	Johnson	Trinity	AL
Stephen	Mcavoy	Springville	AL	Joshua	Butts	Springville	AL
Kris	Colley	Ragland	AL	Adam	Bain	Talladega	AL
John	Fredrick	Hamilton	GA	John	Lee	Cataula	GA
Lonnie	Cochran	Section	AL	Lee	Livesay	Longview	TX
Steve	Graziano	Phenix City	AL	Steve	Graziano	Phenix city	AL
Mark	Succi	Midland	GA	Frank	Bradfield	Fortson	GA
Mike	Young	Suwanee	GA	Mel	Kennedy	Cumming	GA
Eric	Daugherty	Hiram	GA	Tate	Gragg	Hiram	GA
Stephen	Perry	Montgomery	AL	Matt	Tanaka	Cecil	AL
Scott	Saucer	Frisco city	AL	William	Bean	Mccalla	AL
Bo	Quinnie	Tuscaloosa	AL	Deandrae	Kimbrough	Tuscaloosa	AL
Zachariah	Smith	Decherd	TN	Bill	Darby	Fayetteville	TN
Lavoyd	Lemmond	Decatur	AL	Zachary	Lemmond	Hillsboro	AL

by AnglersChannel

Major League Fishing Resumes Live Competition: Birge Buries the Field

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2020 (Kissimmee, Fla.) Major League Fishing (MLF) returned to live sports with their biggest event yet, Sunday on the Kissimmee Chain. Favorite Fishing pro Zack Birge leads Group A after the first day of the Qualifying Round in the inaugural Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo, which boasts $753,000 in payouts. Brent Ehrler leads Group A for the Heavy Hitters big-fish bonus with an eight-pound, six-ounce largemouth. The remaining 39 Pros (Group B) including current Bass Pro Tour leader Ott DeFoe and Florida-favorite Bobby Lane, take to the water Monday morning. The competition continues daily through Friday.

MLF resumed the 2020 Bass Pro Tour season after an 80-day, mid-season pause to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Due to the socially distant nature of competitive bass fishing and the unique MLF format, MLF moved forward with live competition while other professional sports remain paused. The MLF format, which features catch-weigh-and immediately release, eliminates a traditional weigh-in by weighing the fish on the boat and recording the cumulative weight in the proprietary SCORETRACKER® over the nine-hour day.

29-year-old Zack Birge led the field nearly the entire day after catching his first of 17 scoreable bass in the first 11 minutes of regulation. Birge finished the day with 53 pounds, seven ounces and a substantial, 17-pound lead over second place, which he said was his goal going into the round.

“I started off a little slow, but I ended strong,” said Birge. “I had two goals coming into today’s round: I wanted to have a little cushion and get some good points toward my REDCREST qualification. The only thing I missed was a big fish; but I caught a 5-8 so that’s good. It was a good day.”

Birge caught the majority of scorable fish on a Yo-Zuri 3DB Series 1.5 squarebill crankbait in gizzard shad, including his biggest fish of the day, which weighed in at 5 pounds, 8 ounces. As the day wound down on MLFNOW!, MLF sports commentator JT Kenney highlighted his surprise that Birge was one of the only anglers to focus on the creeks and currents around the lake. When asked about his strategy, Birge says he goes against the grain by following the current and his roots.

“Many people from out of state, when they fish Florida, follow what they read or hear as the ‘right thing to do in Florida,” commented Birge, who lives in Oklahoma. “But for me, since I started fishing Florida in 2015, I bring what I do in Oklahoma to Florida and that seems to work. Fish love current, so I go to the current and it worked again.”

MLF Rookie Bryan Thrift marched his way to second place finish with 12 fish totaling 36 pounds, seven ounces. Sticking with an offshore, vegetation strategy, Thrift changed up the bait to keep the fish biting racking up six on a worm in the third period alone.

“I was hoping they would bite a moving bait, something I could cover a lot of water with,” reflected Thrift. “It was about midway through the second period, I stopped being hard-headed and put the worm in the water, which resulted in quite of few bites.”

In addition to the traditional payout schedule based on finishing order, Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo bonuses the angler for the biggest bass caught in each Group. The two-day Qualifying Rounds (June 7-10) will pay a $25,000 big bass bonus ($50,000 total). The Knockout Round on day five (June 11), will feature a $50,000 big bass bonus, while the Championship Round (June 12) will feature a $100,000 big bass bonus, on top of the Stage Title $100,000 prize. California Pro Brent Ehrler leads the Group A race for the biggest bass with an eight-pound-six-ounce largemouth. Ehrler caught the lunker on a six-inch Senko bait by Gary Yamamoto in black and blue color.

The Top Ten of Day One, Qualifying Group A finished as follows:

Place	Angler	Total Weight	Total Fish	Largest Fish
1	Zack Birge	52-07	17	5-08
2	Bryan Thrift	36-07	12	3-13
3	Gary Klein	31-06	11	4-02
4	John Murray	29-06	6	7-13
5	Jordan Lee	25-05	6	6-13
6	Justin Lucas	20-05	4	8-03
7	Jacob Wheeler	19-10	5	5-11
8	Casey Ashley	19-06	5	6-11
9	Kelly Jordon	17-15	7	3-02
10	Boyd Duckett	17-11	6	5-00

For complete results, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com, Bass Pro Tour, Results.

The competition continues Monday when Group B takes to the water for the first day of their Qualifying Round, which includes Florida Pros Bobby Lane and Terry Scroggins, alongside the 2020 Bass Pro Tour Points leader Ott DeFoe. MLF Pro Aaron Martens remains sidelined due to ongoing cancer treatment and will not compete, which renders the Heavy Hitters field at 79 Pros. While he will not earn points toward the 2020 Bass Pro Tour Points race, Martens’ fellow anglers did vote that he will receive an 80^th place prize, $4,000.

In response to the shortened season, MLF revised the payout schedule for Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo to include all 80 anglers: 1^st $100,000; 2^nd $40,000; 3^rd $15,000; 4^th $13,000; 5^th $12,000; 6^th $11,000; 7^th $10,000; 8^th $9,000; 9^th $8,000; 10^th$7,000; 11^th – 20^th $6,000; 21^st – 40^th $5,000; 41^st – 80^th $4,000. Each competitor is guaranteed a $4,000 check.

Pending no weather delays, the day begins with launch at Big Toho Marina, Kissimmee, Fla., 6:15 a.m. ETbefore lines-in at 7:00 a.m. Period 1 ends at 9:30 a.m. Period 2 spans 9:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. Period 3 begins at 12:30 p.m. and lasts until day’s end at 3:00 p.m. The General Tire Takeout show airs approximately 3 – 4 p.m. from the water. Fans can catch all the action every day of competition on MLFNOW! livestream on MajorLeagueFishing.com or download the MLF App for your Apple or GooglePlaydevice or on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV).

by AnglersChannel

Vandiver’s Stracner Wins Toyota Series Tournament at Lake Eufaula

EUFAULA, Ala. (June 6, 2020) – Alabama boater Josh Stracner of Vandiver, Alabama, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 22 pounds, 3 ounces to win the three-day Toyota Series at Lake Eufaulatournament in Eufaula, Alabama. Stracner’s three-day total of 15 bass weighing 64-15 earned him the win by a 2-pound, 2-ounce margin over second-place angler Ryan Ingram of Phenix City, Alabama, and earned Stracner the top payout of $29,034 in the first tournament of the 2020 Toyota Series Southeastern Division.

This is Stracner’s fourth FLW win on Lake Eufaula – first on the Toyota Series – but midway through the day, it didn’t look like he was going to be able to pull off the come-from-behind victory after starting the day in third place.

Stracner started the day doing what he’d done the previous two days of competition – fishing deep ledges in the mid-lake area. But today, it just wasn’t happening. With 13 to 14 pounds in the livewell and a few hours left to fish, Stracner knew he needed to change up. Eventually, he shifted to fishing shallow brush – in this case 12 to 15 feet deep – which quickly proved to be the right move.

“I did not even think about it moving shallow until about 12 o’clock, and the deep stuff wasn’t working,” Stracner said. “So I went shallow and started catching a few. I caught enough that I just stayed with it the rest of the day. And right before this storm came through, I caught three good ones on back-to-back stops.”

Stracner said that he used about a half-dozen baits throughout the week to catch the winning fish. His main ledge baits on the first two days of competition were a Strike King 10XD and 6-inch Scottsboro Tackle Co. Swimbait on a Scottsboro Recon Head. Saturday, fishing brush, he caught some on a Reaction Innovations Fat Flirt Worm, and a Z-Man ChatterBait.

“I can’t believe it,” Stracner went on to say. “I never really thought I could’ve won it. I was just hoping to stay in second or third. I just had to work real hard this week. You’ve got to be on the right stuff at the right time. Everything’s got to go right, and today was just my day. That’s really all I can say. I feel very fortunate right now.”

The top 10 pros on Lake Eufaula finished:

1^st: Josh Stracner of Vandiver, Ala., 15 bass, 64-15, $29,034

2^nd: Ryan Ingram of Phenix City, Ala., 15 bass, 62-13, $10,669

3^rd: Bryan New of Belmont, N.C., 15 bass, 61-8, $8,260

4^th: Michael M. Smith, Andalusia, Ala., 15 bass, 61-2, $6,883

5^th: Shane Powell of Dothan, Ala., 15 bass, 61-0, $6,195

6^th: Josh Butler of Hayden, Ala., 15 bass, 58-0, $6,507

7^th: Scott Montgomery of Eufaula, Ala., 15 bass, 56-8, $4,899

8^th: Dustin Smith of Grand Island, Fla., 15 bass, 54-13, $4,130

9^th: Austin Lang of Kinsey, Ala., 15 bass, 53-12, $3,442

10^th: Kacy Mims of Randolph, Ala., 15 bass, 53-11, $2,753

A complete list of results can be found atFLWFishing.com.

Butler took home an extra $1,000 as the highest finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $35,000 per event in each Toyota Series tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.

Hank Golden of Tallassee, Alabama, brought a 6-pound, 12-ounce largemouth bass to the scale Friday – the largest fish weighed by a boater in the event – to earn the day’s Big Bass award of $81.

Blake Lewis of Pace, Florida, won the Co-angler Division Saturday with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 44 pounds, 4 ounces. Lewis took home the top prize package of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor.

The top 10 co-anglers on Lake Eufaula finished:

1^st: Blake Lewis of Pace, Fla., 15 bass, 44-4, Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat w/115-hp outboard

2^nd: Cal Culpepper of Hamilton, Ga., 15 bass, 43-9, $3,544

3^rd: Bryce Goff of Haines City, Fla., 15 bass, 40-14, $2,836

4^th: Chuck Laslie of Havana, Fla., 15 bass, 39-7, $2,481

5^th: Joseph Chilcott of Crestview, Fla., 13 bass, 39-1, $2,127

6^th: Daniel Corkern of Florence, Miss., 15 bass, 38-14, $1,772

7^th: Todd Beaver of Richland, Ga., 15 bass, 38-0, $1,418

8^th: Tony Muina of Wewahitchka, Fla., 13 bass, 37-8, $1,241

9^th: Alan Ray of Georgetown, Ga., 12 bass, 37-1, $1,117

10^th: Ronald Harris of Jefferson, Ga., 14 bass, 33-5, $886

Rob Lyerly of Smyrna, Georgia, weighed in the largest bass in the co-angler division on Thursday, bringing a 6-pound, 7-ounce bass to the stage. He earned the days Co-angler Big Bass award of $54.

The Toyota Series at Lake Eufaula was hosted by the Eufaula Barbour County Chamber of Commerce. It was the first of three regular-season tournaments in 2020 for Southeastern Division anglers. For a complete schedule, visit FLWFishing.com.

The Toyota Series consists of eight divisions – Central, Eastern, Northern, Plains, Southeastern, Southern, Southwestern and Western – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International division. Anglers who fish all three qualifiers in any of the eight divisions and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning $235,000 cash, including a $35,000 FLW PHOENIX Bonus for qualified anglers. The winning co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard. The 2020 Toyota Series Championship will be held Dec. 3-5 on Lake Cumberland in Burnside, Kentucky, and is hosted by the Somerset Tourist & Convention Commission and the Burnside Tourism Commission.

For complete details and updated information visitFLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Toyota Series on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

Smith remains in the lead at Eufaula with 50 pounds even

June 5, 2020 by Curtis Niedermier - FLWFishing.com

If you could pick which days you’d catch your two biggest limits ever on a lake, you’d probably want them to come on the first two days of a major bass tournament, right?

Well, Michael Smith can attest to just how fun it is when the dream scenario occurs. Competing in the Toyota Series Southeastern Division event at Lake Eufaula this week, the Andalusia, Ala., pro weighed in 25 pounds, 7 ounces yesterday to take the lead and backed it up with 24-9 today. His 50-pound two-day total has Smith ahead of second-place pro Scott Montgomery by 5 pounds, 9 ounces.

“It’s been a magical week,” says Smith. “Those are the two biggest bags I’ve ever weighed on Eufaula, and they were back to back. I picked the right week to figure it out. I put a lot of time in and found a lot of good places. I could’ve probably had a bigger bag. I jumped off a 4 1/2 and broke one off today that I couldn’t even get off the bottom. So, I don’t know. I’m cautiously optimistic.

“I said yesterday I had about 30 places to hit and only hit 15 to get to what I had, and I probably only hit 15 again today. I’ve still got some places that I haven’t even hit in the tournament. The places that I have been catching them I haven’t pressured at all the last two days. I’ve pulled up, caught two or three, and then left before I’ve broke the schools up.”

Smith is targeting schools of bass on offshore ledges. Today, he couldn’t even get on the four schools that were his best from yesterday. There were boats on them this morning, and he never needed them in the afternoon.

“We’re going to hit every one of them tomorrow,” he adds. “I’ve quit fishing every day at 12 because it’s hard to cull 4-pounders. Tomorrow, there’s only going to be 10 people out here, and we’re going to burn ’em to the ground.”

Smith is fishing a combination of moving baits and slower soft plastics. The moving options are working well early in the day, but he slows it down midday once the lull sets in.

He also thinks he’s got some “sneaky” places on Eufaula that his competition might not have found. That’s one explanation for why he’s catching 25 pounds a day and some of the other sticks in this tournament, all of whom seem to be sharing schools, aren’t able to keep the same pace.

“I think just having a lot of places is key,” Smith says. “And some of it is probably just being fortunate to not get in a bad rotation. If you get in a bad rotation and you’re fishing behind people all day, you’re going to be having a tough time and wondering what’s going on. I think hitting as many fresh places as you can early while they’re biting is key. Almost every one of those fish I weighed in was the first cast I made on the place that I stopped on. If you pull up and make five casts and you haven’t caught one, you need to go somewhere else. A lot of these are one-cast deals, and they’re either there or they’re not. And if a big one’s there, he’s gonna bite it.”

Top 10 pros

1. Michael M. Smith – Andalusia, Ala. – 50-0 (10)

2. Scott Montgomery – Eufaula, Ala. – 44-7 (10)

3. Josh Stracner – Vandiver, Ala. – 42-12 (10)

4. Josh Butler – Hayden, Ala. – 41-9 (10)

5. Shane Powell – Dothan, Ala. – 40-12 (10)

6. Bryan New – Belmont, N.C. – 38-14 (10)

7. Ryan Ingram – Phenix City, Ala. – 38-14 (10)

8. Austin Lang – Kinsey, Ala. – 37-13 (10)

9. Kacy Mims – Randolph, Ala. – 37-11 (10)

10. Dustin Smith – Grand Island, Fla. – 37-8 (10)

Complete results

CULPEPPER MOVES INTO CO-ANGLER LEAD

After opening up the tournament with a second-place showing yesterday, Hamilton, Ga., co-angler Cal Culpepper caught 13 pounds, 5 ounces today to move into first place. His two-day total of 31-7 has Culpepper just 1 pound, 6 ounces ahead of Alan Ray in second place.

Top 10 co-anglers

1. Cal Culpepper – Hamilton, Ga. – 31-7 (10)

2. Alan Ray – Georgetown, Ga. – 30-1 (8)

3. Tony Muina – Wewahitchka, Fla. – 29-13 (10)

4. Blake Lewis – Pace, Fla. – 28-14 (10)

5. Bryce Goff – Haines City, Fla. – 28-7 (10)

6. Joseph Chilcott – Crestview, Fla. – 26-11 (8)

7. Todd Beaver – Richland, Ga. – 26-11 (10)

8. Daniel Corkern – Florence, Miss. – 25-4 (10)

9. Chuck Laslie – Havana, Fla. – 25-2 (10)

10. Ronald Harris – Jefferson, Ga. – 23-11 (10)

Complete results

by AnglersChannel

Smith tops 25 pound limit. Leads day 1 of FLW TOYOTA Series on Eufaula

June 4, 2020 by Curtis Niedermier - FLW

It’s a 90-minute drive from Michael Smith’s Andalusia, Ala., home to Lakepoint Resort State Park where the Toyota Series Southeastern Division kicked off its season today on Lake Eufaula. That’s just close enough, says Smith, that he fishes here more than anywhere else. His understanding of how Eufaula’s bass transition from the bank to postspawn ares to the main lake really showed today while Smith put together an impressive 25-pound, 7-ounce limit to gain the day-one tournament lead.

Complete results

“I actually won a BFL here a few years ago and won a bunch of other little bit smaller events than this, so I’ve had a lot of success out here,” he says. “This isn’t really my favorite time of year, so I put in a lot of work before this tournament because I really knew I needed to. A lot of those places I found really paid off today.”

Smith says the bass in Eufaula are doing a “little bit of all of it,” meaning they’re still on the bank, transitioning to postspawn areas, setting up on summer spots, and now returning to the bank to capitalize on a mayfly hatch and spawning bluegills.

He spent part of his morning trying to find a big bite up shallow before switching gears and moving offshore. Once he made the move, Smith pounded out his 25-and-change limit by noon and then went back to the bank to “mess around” and see if he could luck into a giant. He never did.

“You couldn’t catch anything over 2 pounds [up shallow],” he says. “I kind of figured that, but there were a couple places where I thought I could get lucky and maybe catch a big one, but I didn’t.

“I don’t think I’ll fish shallow any tomorrow, but I think it was worth giving it a shot.”

Of the offshore bite, he says bass are in the “in between” range in 8 to 15 feet as well as on true river-channel ledges.

“I kind of tasted all of it today, but I’m kind of in more that mid-depth range,” Smith adds. “I did catch a few out deeper, but I’m in the mid-depth crowd catching them that are just getting out there. They seem to be the ones that are willing to bite. They just got off the bank, just got done spawning, and they’re feeding up to recuperate.”

With new fish coming to him, Smith is cautiously optimistic about his chances at a repeat performance tomorrow.

“I had about 30 places that I caught one over 4 pounds in practice, and I only had to hit about half of those today to catch what I had, and really had almost quit,” he says. “I had 22 at, like, 9 o’clock and kind of was just messing around from there. And from 9 to 12 I caught a 4 1/2 and a 5. That kicked me up to 25. So after that I was for sure done. I left a lot of stuff out there, [but don’t know] whether people hit it today. But it got to the point where I was culling almost 4-pounders, and I didn’t feel like that was a good idea for the rest of the event. I definitely left some stuff, so we’ll see if it works out.”

Top 10 pros

1. Michael M Smith – Andalusia, Ala. – 25-7 (5)

2. Josh Stracner – Vandiver, Ala. – 23-9 (5)

3. Scott Montgomery – Eufaula, Ala. – 23-5 (5)

4. Shane Powell – Dothan, Ala. – 23-0 (5)

5. Josh Bragg – Jacksonville, Ala. – 20-12 (5)

6. Laker Howell – Guntersville, Ala. – 20-5 (5)

7. Bryan New – Belmont, N.C. – 19-11 (5)

8. Clabion Johns – Social Circle, Ga. – 19-7 (5)

9. Ryan Ingram – Phenix City, Ala. – 19-4 (5)

10. Chandler Ray – Georgetown, Ga. – 19-1 (5)

Complete results

CHILCOTT SETS CO-ANGLER PACE WITH 19-2

Crestview, Fla., co-angler Joseph Chilcott had himself a big day today fishing with pro Matt Baty. Chilcott cracked 19 pounds, 2 ounces to open the event in first place with a 1-pound cushion over Cal Culpepper, setting himself up for a shot at a brand-new Phoenix bass boat.

"We started the day off shallow and weren't really getting bit, so we jumped around and hit some ledges and brush," Chilcott says. "We pretty much just went spot to spot and never really stayed anywhere too long. For me, everything just worked out perfect. I didn't lose any fish. Every fish I set the hook on came in the boat, and I just lucked up and got into some good fish. Matt's an excellent guide, obviously. It was a really good day for me."

Top 10 co-anglers

1. Joseph Chilcott – Crestview, Fla. – 19-2 (5)

2. Cal Culpepper – Hamilton, Ga. – 18-2 (5)

3. Alan Ray – Georgetown, Ga. – 17-4 (5)

3. Andrew Wade – Thomaston, Ga. – 17-4 (5)

5. Tacorrie Johnson – Columbus, Ga. – 16-7 (5)

6. Garrett Brown – Trion, Ga. – 15-14 (5)

7. Blake Lewis – Pace, Fla. – 15-11 (5)

8. Greg Bearden – Oxford, Ala. – 14-11 (5)

9. Bob Morin – Seymour, Tenn. – 14-1 (5)

10. Tony Muina – Wewahitchka, Fla. – 14-0 (5)

10. Chuck Laslie – Havana, Fla. – 14-0 (5)

Complete results

by AnglersChannel

ASA Reveals Plans for ICAST 2020 Online

ICAST Online will virtually connect the sportfishing industry this July 13 – 17

Alexandria, VA – May 29, 2020 – ICAST, the world’s largest recreational fishing trade show, has transitioned from a physical show to a virtual event with ICAST 2020 Online. The American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the show’s producer, is committed to delivering attendees and exhibitors alike an engaging, interactive online trade show experience.

The virtual trade show will take place July 13 - 17, 2020, and will offer virtual “booths” where exhibitors will showcase their products and services, host virtual press conferences, schedule live and on demand product demonstrations, set up virtual meetings with buyers and media, engage in live chat and much more.

ICAST Online will also include the always popular New Product Showcase Best of Category and Best of Show voting and awards. New for this year, verified buyers and media will vote through a password protected portal.

ICAST Online will offer both public and password-activated access to different sections of the show experience such as the online FLW ICAST Cup Bass Fishing Tournament and an interactive scavenger hunt. Also featured will be business education seminars and other interactive events for buyers, media and the angling public.

During ICAST week, ASA will host several conservation related events that will engage the recreational fishing audience with our nation’s conservation efforts and critical needs for the future.

ASA will also offer seminars, interviews and presentations that focus on the business needs of small businesses, in particular our independent retailers.

“With ICAST Online, ASA will continue to bring people and products together,” said ASA President Glenn Hughes. “This July, retail buyers, media and all show attendees will connect with product experts, manufacturing sales teams and other industry professionals to see and learn about the latest products in the fishing industry, as well as engage on issues that matter most to our industry. All online from their home or office.”

Hughes further noted, “Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that we continue to meet the needs of our angling customers. Working with our show production partners, we’re able to offer this virtual experience in an innovative 24/7 format which will have an impact across the global sportfishing industry not just during ICAST week, but long after the show is over.”

Accessing ICAST 2020 Online
The ICAST website is still the one-stop “shop” for all things ICAST. Buyers and media who registered in 2017, 2018 and 2019 will be automatically registered for the 2020 show with access to MyShowPlanner.

“The MyShowPlanner combines planning and logistics into one easy-to-use tool,” said Trade Show and Membership Vice President Blake Swango. “By creating their show account, attendees can add exhibitors and products as well as save appointments, sessions and demos to a personalized calendar. We see a huge opportunity to connect our member exhibitors with more buyers.”

Hughes concluded, “Since we can’t do it in person this year, ICAST Online will bring our community together virtually, and reach a larger audience of anglers than ever before!”

by AnglersChannel

Minn Kota® and Humminbird® One-Boat Challenge Series to be Featured on Mossy Oak Go App

RACINE, Wis. (May 27, 2020) — Many of you fish-heads have witnessed the One-Boat Challenge on the internet over the past month or so, and now it’s heading to Mossy Oak’s streaming app. This branded entertainment series from Humminbird^® and Minn Kota^®, will also debut on the Mossy Oak Go Appstarting Wednesday, May 27^th.

Utilizing the technological advantages of the One-Boat Network™, which combines Humminbirdelectronics, Minn Kota trolling motors and Talon shallow-water anchors into a single, integrated system, the eight competitors compete on the famed Mexican bass fishery using One-Boat Network-equipped Vexus boats to see which team can catch the most — or the biggest — fish. While competition winners reap rewards and gain immunity, losing teams receive penalties and face early elimination from the competition.

The reality TV-style competition took place at Anglers Inn on Lake El Salto, a proven big-bass lake surrounded by the picturesque Sierra Madre Mountains of Sinaloa, Mexico. Two-angler teams faced a series of challenges testing their fishing skills, their ability to think on their feet and adapt to changes, as well as their technical savvy with the One Boat Network. For the entirety of the competition, anglers relied on Humminbird SOLIX^® units, MEGA Imaging^®, Minn Kota Ultrex™ trolling motors, and Talon shallow water anchors to help them locate and catch some of the most famous black bass in the world.

In addition to bragging rights, the teams battled for $10,000 in prize money to be donated to the charity of their choice. Contestants and their charity of choice include:

Tyler Anderson, Bass Fishing YouTuber – Kids Outdoor Zone
Mike Roy, Striped Bass Guide – Saltwater Guide’s Association
Seth Funt, Pelagic Fisherman – Coastal Conservation Association
Charlie Breitenbach, Inshore Fly Fisherman – Captains for Clean Water
Cameron Black, Salmon and Steelhead Guide – Hatchery Wild Coexist
Ashley Nichole Lewis, Salmon and Steelhead Guide – Brown Folks Fishing
Willie Young, NFL Defensive End – Keep America Fishing
Louie Vito, Olympic Snowboarder – Take Me Fishing

“We’ve been waiting for this moment to launch the One-Boat Challenge and we are thankful to everyone that helped to make this happen and the industry who continue to share the fun of fishing around the globe,” said Brad Henry, Minn Kota Brand Manager. “The episodes are meant to be entertaining and bring awareness to current and new consumers of the benefits of the One-Boat Network.”

The teams were outfitted with gear from some of fishing’s most esteemed brands, including AFTCO, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Gerber Gear, Old Town Kayak, Rapala, Plano, Shimano, St. Croix Rods, StrikeKing, and VMC. Vexus Boats, rigged with the One-Boat Network, were towed by Toyota USA trucks and SUVs throughout the competition.

How to watch:
You can catch the One-Boat Challenge on the Mossy Oak Go app and website at https://go.mossyoak.com/one-boat-challenge.

Other streaming options include http://www.OneBoatChallenge.com and Minn Kota’s YouTube channel, each episode chronicles the experience of a group of amateur bass anglers competing for top fishing honors on Mexico’s venerable Lake El Salto.

For more information visit www.humminbird.com or www.minnkotamotors.com.

by AnglersChannel

Major League Fishing Announces Toyota as Title Sponsor of Heavy Hitters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 3, 2020 (Tulsa, Okla.) Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today that Toyota is title sponsor for Heavy Hitters, June 7-12 on the Kissimmee Chain. Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo serves as the return event of the 2020 Bass Pro Tour and features a $745,000 purse and the full field of 80 anglers, including Team Toyota Pros Kevin VanDam, Mike Iaconelli, Terry Scroggins, and Jacob Wheeler. This sponsorship expands Toyota’s relationship with the MLF and FLW brands, which was originally announced in January and featured a variety of assets, including title for the FLW Toyota Series.

“It makes perfect sense for Toyota to title sponsor our inaugural Heavy Hitters event,” said Major League Fishing President and CEO Jim Wilburn. “As a trusted partner, Toyota embraces our league’s unique opportunity to showcase entertaining formats of competitive bass fishing that both teach trusted techniques from the best anglers in the world and invite new fans to the sport.”

“We’re looking forward to the excitement on the water with Heavy Hitters,” said Matt Ozawa, engagement marketing manager, Toyota Motor North America. “It’s a great opportunity to expand our partnership with MLF and FLW as well as support our Team Toyota anglers and engage with both new and longtime fans.”

Toyota has a history of supporting anglers and their families who depend on Toyota to tow boats safely to their favorite boat ramp – whether competing in tournaments or simply pursuing their weekend passion for fishing like more than 30 million other angling Americans.

“The greatest thing about being able to work with a company like Toyota is that they not only support anglers like me and the other Team Toyota Pros, but they also support fisherman at all levels through their Toyota Bonus Bucks program,” said MLF Pro Jacob Wheeler. “And now for them to become the title sponsor of our biggest event with hundreds of thousands of dollars in prizes, that’s huge for the sport of bass fishing.”

Originally scheduled for May 16-20 as an All-Star mid-season qualifier, Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo will take place on Lake Tohopekaliga (Toho) and the Kissimmee Chain two weeks later than originally planned, June 7-12, due to a mid-season pause to minimize the spread of COVID-19. The event features all 80 MLF Pros in a traditional six-day, Bass Pro Tour format while still offering an untraditional $745,000 purse and full-field payout. Heavy Hitters will serve as Stage Four toward the season-long Bass Pro Tour Points Championship, awarded to the angler with the most points at the conclusion of the season.

In addition to the traditional payout schedule based on finishing order, the biggest bass caught for each Group over the two-day Qualifying Rounds (June 7-10) will pay a $25,000 big bass bonus ($50,000 total). The Knockout Round on day five (June 11), will feature a $50,000 big bass bonus, while the Championship Round (June 12) will feature a $100,000 big bass bonus, on top of the Stage Title $100,000 prize.

Toyota Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo will unfold daily, June 7-12, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET on MLFNOW!, the Major League Fishing app, or MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). MLF will also release six, 2-hour episodes of original programming scheduled to air later this year on the Discovery Channel, as well as a CBS special set to release in December 2020.

by AnglersChannel

DEWALT To Sponsor Elite Event At Lake Eufaula

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — As tournament fishing prepares to restart in June, power tool manufacturer DEWALT has signed on as the title sponsor for the second event of the 2020 Bassmaster Elite Series season, B.A.S.S. announced today. The 2020 DEWALT Bassmaster Elite at Lake Eufaula will be held June 10-13 in Eufaula, Ala.

“We are proud to partner with DEWALT as we get back to competition,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “Interest in fishing is booming across our country, and enthusiastic fans of fishing will be tuning in for four days of on-the-water action. I can’t imagine a better audience for DEWALT to promote their professional-grade tools.”

According to Tony Merritt, Stanley Black & Decker Director of Global Sponsorships & Activations, “We are excited to partner with B.A.S.S. as the title sponsor of the Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Eufaula, Alabama. It is a great opportunity for us to promote the DEWALT brand at the highest level of professional bass fishing and reach the many anglers and fans within the sport.”

Interest and participation in fishing is enjoying tremendous growth so far this year.

While tournament anglers are eager to jump back into competitive fishing, states across the country have seen remarkable growth in fishing license sales as many seek to reconnect with their families and the outdoors. Iowa, Minnesota, Vermont and Louisiana all report more than 50% higher fishing license sales in 2020, according to their state conservation agencies. Considered a hotbed of recreational fishing, even Alabama has experienced a 37% jump in resident fishing license sales.

Live coverage of the DEWALT Bassmaster Elite at Lake Eufaula starts Wednesday, June 10 at 8 a.m. EST, and for the first time, fans will enjoy three ways to catch the action. In addition to the insightful Bassmaster LIVE coverage on Bassmaster.com and ESPN3 that fans are familiar with during an Elite Series event, multiple hours will also be broadcast on ESPN2. Check listings for times.

About DEWALT
DEWALT is obsessed with how users work in the real world and is relentlessly pursuing total jobsite solutions. By incorporating its latest technology and industry innovations, DEWALT is leading the charge for the jobsite of the future. DEWALT products. GUARANTEED TOUGH®. For more information, visit www.dewalt.com or follow DEWALT on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

by AnglersChannel

Crankin' up & Ready to go Fishing!

This week Chris and the boys welcome in good friend Roger & Taylor Metz with Woods and Water SC and our buddy Neil Paul with Visit Anderson as a continuation to Roger and Taylors radio show last weekend. Senior Director of Tournamet Ops for FLW, Mr. Daniel Fennel also joins us to talk about the remainder of the FLW season. Check it out!

by AnglersChannel

Homan: a Purple Heart and Bonus Bucks

Courtesy of Alan McGuckin with Dynamic Sponsorships

Bassmaster Open Series angler Brent Homan sees every target he casts to with one eye. He lost the other eye on June 10, 2007 when an IED blew up the U.S. Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle he was commanding in Iraq while protecting the world from terrorism.

Homan, a successfully married father of three who now lives in Graham, Texas west of Forth Worth, also suffered a mangled thumb. “Doctors in Balad, Iraq told me they thought they could save my eye but not my thumb. I told them I needed my thumb to fish with,” recalls the Purple Heart recipient.

Five days later, back on American soil at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Homan lost his right eye, but kept the thumb. Apparently, God knew he was a bass angler and would need the thumb to fish with – ultimately, Homan’s greatest therapy.

Thirteen years after the injury, when it was time to buy a new truck, Homan’s vision for the brand of vehicle he’d purchase was perfectly clear. On Memorial Day, 2020 – he bought a brand new Toyota Tundra, and then signed up for Toyota Bonus Bucks.

“The biggest reason I bought a Tundra was to be aligned with Toyota and B.A.S.S. – those two brands do a ton for bass anglers and one another,” says Homan. “Plus, it’s just a bad to the bone truck that’s assembled by American workers in Texas,” he says proudly.

Homan says his dream day of fishing would involve casting Scum Frogs and vibrating bladed jigs around matted vegetation on the Potomac River. But this year, his eighth season to compete in the Bassmaster Opens, he’ll focus on working hard to collect Toyota Bonus Bucks checks at the Arkansas River, Sam Rayburn and Neely Henry, before finishing the season near home on Lake Lewisville.

“Wherever we go, I’ll promise you I’ll have plenty of towing power for my Skeeter-Yamaha. I’ve literally had to learn to ease into accelerating with this Tundra, because the torque is so unreal compared to other trucks I’ve driven – especially going uphill,” says Homan.

In a sense, his new Tundra’s power to move forward reflects the supreme determination shown by Homan himself – a deeply admired Purple Heart recipient rich with kindness, humility, and perseverance.

Much like Homan, you too can cash-in on Toyota Bonus Bucks. You just have to own or lease a 2016 or newer Toyota Truck, sign up free for Bonus Bucks, and be the highest finishing registered participant in one of the hundreds of tournaments supported by the Program. To learn more, please visit www.toyotafishing.com.

by AnglersChannel

Pro Angler Jamey Caldwell Joins Team Lew’s Former Special Operations Operator to Represent American Hero Series

Lexington, S.C. – May 28, 2020 – Not long after its reintroduction to the fishing industry, Lew’s has shown its heart for the men and women who provide the blanket of protection for the United States of America and its communities. In 2013, Lew’s established the American Hero Series, a lineup of rods, reels and combos in which a portion of the proceeds is used to help veterans and first responders enjoy the sport of fishing.

Today, Lew’s is proud to announce that former Special Operations Operator, SGM (ret) Jamey Caldwell; a professional angler from Carthage, N.C., has signed on to represent the American Hero Series of gear to anglers, veterans and first responders everywhere.

While serving, Caldwell learned how much fishing could help him when coming back from assignments. “After numerous combat deployments, I found myself needing an escape,” he said. “Fishing allowed me to relax and reset my mind which has continued to this today.”

As a professional angler, Caldwell knows that quality equipment can make all the difference competitively. He also knows what having a company support military and first responders can do for the psyche. “I’ve always admired the Lew’s brand for their quality of product and their pledge to support our Military and First Responders,” said Caldwell. “Being part of Team Lew’s and the American Hero program means a lot to me. With the donation of fishing equipment and proceeds from the sales of the American Hero line, this program provides that same opportunity to veterans; I am proud to be representing the brand and this program.”

As a longtime member of the Strike King pro staff, Caldwell is no stranger to the company as a whole. Mark Copley, Director of Pro Staff and Media Relations said that the decision was an easy one. “Though he would never say this himself, Jamey is the epitome of an American Hero,” said Copley of Caldwell’s service record. “He is also a tremendous angler and representative of a brand; he is the perfect choice to represent Lew’s and the American Hero Series; we are proud and grateful that he has chosen to fly these banners with us.”

About Sergeant Major (r) Jamey Caldwell
A 21-year United States Army veteran, who served his entire career in Special Operations. SGM Caldwell served 7 years with the 75^th Ranger Regiment then spent the following 14 years in a Special Missions Unit that maintained a high operational tempo in Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and numerous other countries in the world. He has deployed to combat 14 times and has conducted well over 500 missions. SGM Caldwell has been awarded three medals for valorous actions in combat while under direct fire from the enemy. During his career SGM Caldwell has consistently dedicated himself to the success of the mission and put the unit’s goals in front of his own. He has been sought after for his leadership skills, planning, leading combat operations, marksmanship and CQB instruction, culminating from years of adaptive thinking in combat situations. Jamey is also the owner of 1 Minute Out a tactical training company. As an angler, Caldwell has competed in Bassmaster Opens, FLW Series and FLW Tour events. In 68 professional level events, Caldwell has posted four top 10 finishes; including one victory.

About Strike King
Strike King is a Springfield, MO based supplier of fishing tackle and sunglasses. The Company supplies hard baits, wire baits, soft plastics and related accessories through the mass market, sporting goods, and specialty outdoor channels. For further information about Strike King, please visit www.strikeking.com.

About Lew’s

Lew's Fishing is a Springfield, MO based supplier of fishing equipment and tackle. The Company supplies branded fishing reels, rods, and related accessories through the mass market, sporting goods, and specialty outdoor channels. For further information about Lew’s, please visit www.lews.com.

by AnglersChannel

Sloan and Jackson win Bass Champs Cedar Creek event with overt 24 pounds!

Place

DREW SLOAN
SCURRY , TX

NOLAN JACKSON
ROYSE CITY , TX

24.18

$20000.00

STEVEN STROMAN
SCROGGINS , TX

AARON WALKER
MT VERNON , TX

21.38

$5000.00

RYAN AUTERY
RICHARDSON , TX

TOM BROUILLETTE
NEED INFO

20.59

$4000.00

BUSTER JOHNSON
KRUM , TX

ZACH PARKER
DENTON , TX

19.55

$3000.00+$5000 James Woods Motors

CODY NIX
PLANO , TX

CORY NIX
DALLAS , TX

18.93

$2500.00

CHARLIE HERRON
EUSTACE , TX

DAVID COLE
COMBINE , TX

18.87

$2000.00

MIKE WILLIAMS
GREENVILLE , TX

BRAD SMITH
MANSFIELD , TX

7.90

18.76

$1500.00

RANDY MILLENDER
TEAGUE , TX

KENNETH NICHOLS
TEAGUE , TX

18.68

$1400.00

KEITH TAYLOR
ROCKWALL , TX

LARRY LADNIER
ROCKWALL , TX

18.64

$1300.00

JOE ROME
FLOWER MOUND , TX

JOEL MCBRIDE
CORINTH , TX

18.63

$1200.00

DON STAPLETON
YANTIS , TX

18.58

$1100.00

MIKE BURNS
LUCAS , TX

ROB BURNS
PLANO , TX

18.36

$1090.00

PERRY TAYLOR
ROWLETT , TX

DENNIS FARMER
TRINIDAD , TX

17.96

$3580 with Skeeter Bonus Cash

JOHN BYLER
ARGYLE , TX

MATT FRANCE
COLLEYVILLE , TX

17.73

$2070 with Skeeter Bonus Cash

TONY CLIMER
MESQUITE , TX

TOMMY CLIMER JR
MESQUITE , TX

17.71

$1060.00

WILLIAM PALMER
MIDLOTHIAN , TX

JERAMIE BYRD
MIDLOTHIAN , TX

17.50

$1050.00

KY MARTIN
GRANDVIEW , TX

CHRIS MOORE
ROCKWALL , TX

17.46

$1540 with Skeeter Bonus Cash

LEE BATSON
HEATH , TX

JOHN FLEMING
COMBINE , TX

17.28

$1030.00

ROCKIE MARTIN
ROCKWALL , TX

CLINT NOWELL
FORT WORTH , TX

17.26

$1020.00

DOUG BRUNDIDGE
FARMERSVILLE , TX

BERNARD GUNN JR
FARMERSVILLE , TX

16.66

$1010.00

JACOB BAKER
TERRELL , TX

MATTHEW KIRKLIN
HAWKINS , TX

16.61

$1000.00

ANTHONY JONES
WILLIS , TX

7.84

16.61

$1000.00

RICK NEWTON
GRAPEVINE , TX

JEFF ARNOLD
LEWISVILLE , TX

8.53

16.53

$1000.00 + $1000.00 Big Bass

TERRY PEACOCK
ROYSE CITY , TX

SCOTT DEAN
TERRELL , TX

16.41

$1000.00

JOEFRANK THOMAS
FORNEY , TX

JUSTIN SPOERL
TERRELL , TX

16.26

$1000.00

JOE HUCHOWSKI
AZLE , TX

NORMAN MINERICH
FORT WORTH , TX

16.16

$1000.00

MARK PARKER
SHERMAN , TX

RON SAUCEMAN
COLLINSVILLE , TX

16.03

$1000.00

RON ROGERS
ROCKWALL , TX

MIKE REID
FATE , TX

15.89

$1000.00

BRYON HARRISON
QUINLAN , TX

DIRK SMITH
FARMERSVILLE , TX

15.65

$1000.00

RONNIE CASTLEBURY
ELGIN , OK

JAKE CASTLEBURY
ELGIN , OK

15.53

$1000.00

SCOTT BARNETT
MANSFIELD , TX

BRIAN CLARK
HALTOM CITY , TX

15.53

$1000.00

JEREMY LAMBERT
DECATUR , TX

BRANDEN HOLLINGSHEAD
AZLE , TX

15.15

$1000.00

JAMES SEYMOUR
OGLESBY , TX

TONY MCBRIDE
WEST , TX

15.09

Fun N Sun First Out Bonus

JOHN CARTER
MABANK , TX

14.96

DAVID REYNOLDS
MCKINNEY , TX

ROBERT BROCK JR
MCKINNEY , TX

6.88

14.94

MATT CANNON
TROY , TX

JARED SIEGELER
BELTON , TX

14.78

DALE GOSSETT
GREENVILLE , TX

SEAN GOSSETT
EMORY , TX

14.78

TOMMY HULSEY JR
CORSICANA , TX

JUSTIN GARNETT
FAIRFIELD , TX

14.74

BLAKE HENDERSON
ATHENS , TX

BRAD CARTER
SCURRY , TX

14.57

MARC SCHILLING
CARROLLTON , TX

SHAWN TEMPLE
KRUGERVILLE , TX

14.38

TYLER WOODS
BENBROOK , TX

MATTHEW ANTHONY
FT WORTH , TX

14.31

CRAIG DOWIS
DALLAS , TX

MICHAEL VASQUEZ
TEMPLE , TX

14.26

STEVE TRIMBLE
DUNCANVILLE , TX

CHRIS BAUGH
PROSPER , TX

14.16

BOBBY BADARACK
FT WORTH , TX

CHRISTIAN KAPRELIAN
LEWISVILLE , TX

14.06

TOM MOCNY
LITTLE ELM , TX

KURT KLOSOWSKI
PLANO , TX

14.02

JUSTIN KEITHLEY
ARLINGTON , TX

JOSH KEITHLEY
FORT WORTH , TX

14.01

CHRISTOPHER KELLY
TRINIDAD , TX

CLYDE WELKER
KELLER , TX

13.72

RANDY HALE
ROWLETT , TX

DANNY SHAW
RED OAK , TX

13.55

SCOTT SCROGGINS
SULPHUR SPRNGS , TX

BRUCE POWELL
WINNSBORO , TX

13.52

DESMEND SAGE
WEATHERFORD , TX

AUSTIN KIMBALL
FORT WORTH , TX

13.51

RICK CLARK
TERRELL , TX

JOHN ADAMS
FRISCO , TX

13.46

KENNETH COLLARD
CANTON , TX

STEVE WHITE
EUSTACE , TX

13.43

RONALD MAPLES
CLEBURNE , TX

MICHAEL EDGETT
GRAND PRAIRIE , TX

13.41

GIB COATS
FORT WORTH , TX

BARRY STOVAL
FT WORTH , TX

13.39

MATT WILSON
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS , TX

DANIEL HERRING
WATUAGA , TX

13.31

MARK TRAEWEEK
DENISON , TX

CHRIS COLE
BELLS , TX

13.31

KEITH IVY
PONDER , TX

TOMMY MURRAY
BEDFORD , TX

13.26

CECIL TUBB
DIKE , TX

SAM HOOTEN
WINNSBORO , TX

13.25

TERRY JOHNSON
FATE , TX

TODD JOHNSON
FORNEY , TX

13.12

JEFF NORRIS
DECATUR , TX

RONNIE NORRIS
BOYD , TX

13.11

STEVEN FARRELL
CANTON , TX

DAMON LEWIS
NEED INFO

13.03

SHANE GRAY
PALESTINE , TX

DUSTIN GRAY
ELKHART , TX

13.03

TOM GRIDLEY
WIMBERLEY , TX

DEREK ROGERS
MALAKOFF , TX

12.96

ROBERT DISANTO
CHANDLER , TX

CHRIS DISANTO
TYLER , TX

12.86

ALEC CASTONGUAY
ROYSE CITY , TX

SHAWN CASTONGUAY
ROCKWALL , TX

12.81

STEVE LYNAM
SOUTHLAKE , TX

JUSTIN DUBOSE
PARADISE , TX

12.68

JONATHAN GREIG
COMBINE , TX

MATT ATTAWAY
FORNEY , TX

12.67

RYAN COHLMEYER
WEATHERFORD , TX

DARREN HEAVNER
FORT WORTH , TX

12.60

JOEY MARTIN
HORSESHOE BAY , TX

GREG MEHAFFEY
GATESVILLE , TX

12.55

BILL GUZMAN
AUSTIN , TX

12.52

EVAN OBRIEN
EMORY , TX

ANEIL KAMATH
FORNEY , TX

12.52

DANIEL BARRICK
QUINLAN , TX

JAMES KING JR
WILLS POINT , TX

12.38

MATT BROWNING
SCURRY , TX

AUSTIN BROWNING
SCURRY , TX

12.29

BRYCE CAIN
COLLEYVILLE , TX

JARRETT GABLE
COLLEYVILLE , TX

12.26

CHRIS FORD
WINNSBORO , TX

BILLY DEATON
BURLESON , TX

12.23

TREVOR ROMANS
CELINA , TX

MATT MCMILLAN
FORT WORTH , TX

12.17

CHRIS CLARK
HUBBARD , TX

RAY PAGE
CRANDALL , TX

12.17

CODY MASON
FORNEY , TX

MATTHEW MOORE
CADDO MILLS , TX

12.14

JOHN WIMSATT
LAKEWOOD VILLAGE , TX

MARK WIMSATT
LAKEWOOD VILLAGE , TX

12.14

MARK MAYBEN
PLANO , TX

JOHN MAYBEN
DALLAS , TX

12.08

BRUCE MULLER
LUCAS , TX

MASON MULLER
LUCAS , TX

12.03

KEITH CARNEY
ARLINGTON , TX

KEVIN CARNEY
ARLINGTON , TX

11.95

KENT SIKES
ROANOKE , TX

DARRELL CAMPBELL
ALBA , TX

11.86

DON OVERSTREET
SULPHUR SPRINGS , TX

CHUCK RIZUTO
ALBA , TX

11.81

BRENT LYON
HEATH , TX

GABE KNOX
ARLINGTON , TX

11.77

CLYDE GLENN
BELTON , TX

JIM GOLDEN
BELTON , TX

11.77

KLAYTON REEVES
WAXAHACHIE , TX

JACOB CONGLETON
KEMP , TX

6.81

11.76

JODY KEA
TYLER , TX

JASON BURTON
EUSTACE , TX

11.74

RICKY CONWAY
SULPHUR SPRINGS , TX

HADEN SICKLES
SULPHUR SPRINGS , TX

11.64

DON KUYKENDALL
GUN BARRREL CITY , TX

VIRGIL KUYKENDALL
GUN BARRELL CITY , TX

11.59

AARON ASHMORE
IVANHOE , TX

ROBERT HOLLAND
DODD CITY , TX

11.58

GARY KINARD
FORNEY , TX

JACOB KINARD
FORNEY , TX

11.54

STEVE SCHMIDT
MIDLOTHIAN , TX

BILLY RYAN
MANSFIELD , TX

11.52

DAVID THOMAS
MELISSA , TX

KYLE ROBINSON
ANNA , TX

11.51

DAVID SPEAKMAN
PLANO , TX

GARY LEE
ROCKWALL , TX

11.45

SCOT MCDONALD
CELINA , TX

KEITH KRZEMINSKI
AUBREY , TX

11.42

BOBBY POINTER
ALVORD , TX

COLBY BURDINE
CHICO , TX

11.39

PAUL MCCOLLUM
CORSICANA , TX

COEY MCCOLLUM
CORSICANA , TX

11.38

BYRON BIONDI
ARLINGTON , TX

JASON GREENFIELD
KENNEDALE , TX

11.32

100

ALLEN SHELTON
FARMERS BRANCH , TX

JOHN MCCALMONT
ROCKWALL , TX

11.30

101

CHARLES BENEDICT
FORNEY , TX

BRUCE BENEDICT
FORNEY , TX

11.09

102

AARON DAVIS
GLEN HEIGHTS , TX

CHAD DAVIS
ENNIS , TX

10.99

103

STEVE SIMS
SANGER , TX

RONNIE SIMS
LEWISVILLE , TX

10.96

104

ROGER RITCHIE
WICHITA FALLS , TX

RICHARD RITCHIE
BENTON , AR

10.90

105

SHANNON MCCALEB
JOSHUA , TX

JAMES MCCALEB
GRANBUY , TX

10.89

105

ZACH HUGHES
QUITMAN , TX

JEREMY SIMS
EMORY , TX

10.89

107

MARK VOS
PLANO , TX

DANIEL RUEDI
DALLAS , TX

10.85

108

JONATHAN LANCASTER
QUITMAN , TX

JOSH PRIEST
QUITMAN , TX

10.83

109

KHRISTIAN SALCEDO
LINDALE , TX

RONNIE MANNING
CAMPBELL , TX

10.73

110

CHRIS DUROY
KINGSTON , OK

BOE FOSSETT
KINGSTON , OK

10.60

111

STEPHEN COOKSEY
BULLARD , TX

TROY SLAUGHTER
TRINIDAD , TX

10.54

112

CHADD DEAREN
ROWLETT , TX

SHANE HENDERSON
YANTIS , TX

10.47

113

JOHN NEWKIRK
BENBROOK , TX

BRANDON STONE
DENNIS , TX

10.38

114

ERIC ELDER
SUNNYVALE , TX

TIM WILCOXSON
ROCKWALL , TX

10.20

115

STEPHEN HOPE
ALBA , TX

RICKY CAMPBELL
ALBA , TX

10.11

116

KEITH PIPPENGER
COMBINE , TX

DANNY MAGEE
MESQUITE , TX

9.98

117

TIM CLINE
SHERMAN , TX

RAYMOND SMITH
WHITESBORO , TX

9.79

118

ROBERT WEST
MCKINNEY , TX

LOGAN FORBESS
NEVADA , TX

9.71

119

CHRIS GILROY
FRISCO , TX

MICHAEL FULLER
BLUE RIDGE , TX

9.57

120

JONATHAN HESTER
WEATHERFORD , TX

DOUGLAS NOLAN
BOWIE , TX

9.34

121

GREG COOPER
EDDY , TX

MATTHEW MCGILVRAY
AXTELL , TX

9.14

122

RONNY HALBERT
LARUE , TX

CODY RAYBURN
ATHENS , TX

9.08

123

MARK MCDONALD
WILLS POINT , TX

LORI MCDONALD
WILLS POINT , TX

8.93

124

DEREK THOMPSON
ARGYLE , TX

BRIT LEQUIEU
JUSTIN , TX

8.79

125

ROBERT FINTA
WYLIE , TX

CHRIS DERRICK
MCKINNEY , TX

8.65

126

SAM MCCOLLUM
CORSICANA , TX

EARL SCHWARTZLANDER
CORSICANA , TX

8.62

127

JESSE ULTSCH
DENISON , TX

JAMES BLAKE
POTTSBORO , TX

8.24

127

MICHAEL DRECHSEL
FORT WORTH , TX

WESLEY PRICE
GRAPEVINE , TX

8.24

129

DAVID GILLHAM
HEATH , TX

RICH DALBEY
GREENVILLE , TX

8.13

130

ALAN PAYNE
KERENS , TX

DARRELL COBB
CORSICANA , TX

8.02

131

KELVIN HOGG
ARLINGTON , TX

BRIAN ROUSSEL
ARLINGTON , TX

7.94

132

KIRK MAREZ
LEWISVILLE , TX

CHRIS BACHTA
GRAPEVINE , TX

7.93

133

SHAWN TAYLOR
ABILENE , TX

7.69

134

LARRY BENCH
DENISON , TX

HI HILLBURN
COLBERT , OK

7.43

135

JIMMY HARRISON
BOYD , TX

JIMMY HARRISON JR
DECATUR , TX

7.30

136

WILLIAM VONROSENBERG
ALBA , TX

CURTIS DANIELS
EMORY , TX

7.15

137

DAVID LIVINGSTON III
GLADEWATER , TX

DAVID LIVINGSTON IV
GLADEWATER , TX

7.08

138

MARK PARKER
GRAPEVINE , TX

BRYAN TURNER
COLLEYVILLE , TX

7.07

139

JOEY CANTRELL
SADLER , TX

SHANE ALLISON
COLLINSVILLE , TX

6.93

140

EDDIE HALL
CADDO MILLS , TX

BRANDON BREWER
CADDO MILLS , TX

6.83

141

SAMMY GRAY
TISHOMINGO , OK

RODNEY BROOKS
DURANT , OK

6.76

142

PAUL BRINKMAN
AZLE , TX

BOB NASH JR
AZLE , TX

6.36

143

MERLE HALCOM
IRVING , TX

CRAIG HANNA
DALLAS , TX

5.84

144

BRIAN WHITE
CELINA , TX

TRISTAN WHITE
CELINA , TX

5.66

145

PHOEBE SCOTT
KINGWOOD , TX

ROBERT SCOTT
KINGWOOD , TX

5.24

146

COREY WALDROP
FT WORTH , TX

CRAIG WALDROP
BENBROOK , TX

5.07

147

RICHARD FAULKNER
PROVIDENCE VILLAGE , TX

GEORGE SHIPPEY
MT PLEASANT , TX

4.84

148

TOM MCELROY
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS , TX

CHERYL SPEAR
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS , TX

4.72

149

CHARLES ARNOLD
QUITMAN , TX

RANDY STEELE
SULPHUR SPRINGS , TX

4.67

149

JUSTIN CLARK
RED OAK , TX

TONY CLARK
RED OAK , TX

4.67

151

GARRY MCADAMS
FORT WORTH , TX

KURTIS WALKER
N RICHLAND HILLS , TX

4.48

152

LARRY LANDIS JR
GRAFORD , TX

LARRY LANDIS III
GRAFORD , TX

4.37

153

TIM HAWKINS
ANNA , TX

COLTON CLARK
ANNA , TX

4.24

154

ROBB TAYLOR
IRVING , TX

JOHN JACKSON
KELLER , TX

3.37

155

CHRISTOPHER MCMINN
BALKO , OK

FELIX GONZALES
CORSICANA , TX

3.34

156

MICKEL KELLY
BLUE RIDGE , TX

LUCAS KELLY
BLUE RIDGE , TX

2.98

157

ZACHARY WYMER
MCKINNEY , TX

JOSHUA WYMER
HALTOM CITY , TX

0.00

157

JOHN BIONDI
ARLINGTON , TX

DONNA BIONDI
ARLINGTON , TX

0.00

157

DERRICK CORSO
MCKINNEY , TX

COREY BREEDING
MELISSA , TX

0.00

157

DEAN TRUDELL
HIGHLAND VILLAGE , TX

MIKE KUBANEK
HIGHLAND VILLAGE , TX

0.00

157

CODY MORRISON
COLLINSVILLE , TX

BARRETT MCCLENDON
DENTON , TX

0.00

157

LEE YOWELL
ENNIS , TX

MARK CROW
PALMER , TX

0.00

157

MICHAEL HARP
LINDEN , TX

AARON HARP
LINDEN , TX

0.00

157

DANIEL WILLIAMSON
FT WORTH , TX

DOUG DURRWACHTER
KELLER , TX

0.00

157

STAN LAWING
POETRY , TX

JD LAUGHERY
ROCKWALL , TX

0.00

157

KENT SKOGLUND
TIOGA , TX

KYLE SKOGLUND
SANGER , TX

0.00

157

RYAN MOROTT
PRINCETON , TX

TAZZ FERRELL
VAN ALSTYNE , TX

0.00

157

NEIL RICHEY
CHICO , TX

COLETON MILLER
DURANT , OK

0.00

157

JAY WATKINS
WEATHERFORD , TX

DENNIS HASTINGS
FLOWER MOUND , TX

0.00

157

TRENT MENEES
NORTHLAKE , TX

TERRY BOLLOM
FRISCO , TX

0.00

157

CHRIS MCLAIN
SANGER , TX

CHRIS TILTON
WYLIE , TX

0.00

157

ROB MEDDERS
MCKINNEY , TX

ROB WILSON
SHERMAN , TX

0.00

$500 Conservation Bonus

157

JERRY DAVID II
PILOT POINT , TX

JACOB DAVID
PILOT POINT , TX

0.00

157

CHRIS DIGINO
DALLAS , TX

ZEB STRICKLAND
PILOT POINT , TX

0.00

157

MATT TALLAS
CANTON , TX

ERNIE SISTRUNK
WILLS POINT , TX

0.00

157

DAVID WALLER
FORT WORTH , TX

ROGER HAVERKAMP
SOUTHLAKE , TX

0.00

157

JAY EICHLER
EMORY , TX

CASEY CHEATHAM
DALLAS , TX

0.00

157

JACOB ROANE
CELINA , TX

GG BOYD
AZLE , TX

0.00

157

BRUCE ANDERSON
SHERMAN , TX

JOHN ANDERSON
SHERMAN , TX

0.00

157

STEVE FOUSHEE
MURPHY , TX

BRYAN TUCKER
CARROLLTON , TX

0.00

157

RANDY TURNER
GREENVILLE , TX

TREY TURNER
ROYSE CITY , TX

0.00

157

TOM WARD
TYLER , TX

JIM CRAWFORD
NACOGDOCHES , TX

0.00

157

RYAN WARREN
GATESVILLE , TX

JASON DERRICK
VALLEY MILLS , TX

0.00

157

LARRY WHEELER JR
KAUFMAN , TX

DAVID DEALVA JR
EUSTACE , TX

0.00

157

SONNY WILSON
WAXAHACHIE , TX

KYLE WILSON
WAXAHACHIE , TX

0.00

157

PAUL TURNER
GRANBURY , TX

TOBY JACINTO
WACO , TX

0.00

157

RICK HORTON
NEVADA , TX

DEREK AMMERMAN
CADDO MILLS , TX

0.00

157

DAVID GORE
KOUNTZE , TX

JUSTIN SOWELL
SILSBEE , TX

0.00

157

MIKE MURSKI
MERIDIAN , TX

JOHN NEWLAND
BLUFF DALE , TX

0.00

157

DAN PHIFER
GRAPEVINE , TX

RUSSELL ROLAND
FORNEY , TX

0.00

157

LIONEL SERNA
COOLIDGE , TX

MITCHELL FRIDMAN
COLLEYVILLE , TX

0.00

157

LANCE ROBOLIA
WACO , TX

DENIS SCHMEDTHORST
WACO , TX

0.00

157

MATT MORTON
DALLAS , TX

MARK SPURGIN
MCKINNEY , TX

0.00

157

CHARLES SIMMONS
WACO , TX

L J CASTILLO
WACO , TX

0.00

157

BRANDON MCCOMBS
ARLINGTON , TX

JACOB PARMA
ARLINGTON , TX

0.00

157

RAY HELVESTON
POWDERLY , TX

JOHN MAKERNEY
BROOKSTON , TX

0.00

157

RONALD SISK
RIO VISTA , TX

JOHNNY MATTHEWS
LAGUNA PARK , TX

0.00

157

MEGAN NICHOLS
FREEPORT , TX

RICK JOHNSON
ROCKWALL , TX

0.00

157

ZACHERY WATSON
FORT WORTH , TX

TYLER MIRANDA
ARLINGTON , TX

0.00

157

KYLE MIERS
MALAKOFF , TX

ERIC PHILLIPS
KERENS , TX

0.00

157

JEFFREY MCCOLLUM
LAKE JACKSON , TX

BOBBY MCCOLLUM
CORSICANA , TX

0.00

157

RANDY PAGE
GIDDINGS , TX

CAMERON PAGE
GIDDINGS , TX

0.00

157

EASTON HEIGLEY
BROOKELAND , TX

KYLE DRAGULSKI
LUFKIN , TX

0.00

157

RAY ALLEN
AXTELL , TX

AUSTIN MONTGOMERY
BRUCEVILLE , TX

0.00

157

DONNIE COVERT
MALAKOFF , TX

JAMES COVERT
MALAKOFF , TX

0.00

157

CHAD GRANT
CHATFIELD , TX

CARTER GRANT
CHATFIELD , TX

0.00

157

DEVIN BUSHLAND
ALLEN , TX

CARSON KIRKHUFF
COLLEYVILLE , TX

0.00

157

CODY COBB
CORSICANA , TX

TAYLOR MOREHEAD
CORSICANA , TX

0.00

157

TIM BROCKWAY
KAUFMAN , TX

ANGELA BROCKWAY
KAUFMAN , TX

0.00

157

JOHN LITTLE
TEXARKANA , AR

SHANE MOORE
TEXARKANA , AR

0.00

157

BRADY BURLSMITH
MABANK , TX

KEITH BLUE
KEMP , TX

0.00

157

RICKY MAYO
ARDMORE , OK

SEAN DAVIS
DENISON , TX

0.00

157

JOHN FILGO
RED OAK , TX

KOLE MINCHER
WOLFE CITY , TX

0.00

157

W T DYSON II
LAKE DALLAS , TX

JOSEPH FLOWERS
HICKORY CREEK , TX

0.00

157

CODY EASLEY
CANTON , TX

SHANNON EASLEY
CANTON , TX

0.00

157

GARRETT KOSLAN
LINDALE , TX

MARSHALL KOSLAN
CHANDLER , TX

0.00

157

DAVID LAINE
HORSESHOE BAY , TX

0.00

157

ERIC CHONKO
ALEDO , TX

CHRIS WIGGINS
ALEDO , TX

0.00

157

HUNTER JORDAN
CLEBURNE , TX

BRAD LAMPMAN
MORGAN , TX

0.00

157

ROY CHEANEY
GRAND SALINE , TX

MONROE NIVENS
GRAND SALINE , TX

0.00

157

JIM EDWARDS
BLUM , TX

AUSTIN EDWARDS
BLUM , TX

0.00

157

COOPER BUSCH
MALAKOFF , TX

JEREMY ZAMALIE
MABANK , TX

0.00

157

PAUL SEWELL
COMBINE , TX

KENNETH MOORE
RED OAK , TX

0.00

157

JEFF MASSEY
JUSTIN , TX

COLE MASSEY
JUSTIN , TX

0.00

157

BRANDON CLAYTON
HASLET , TX

JORDAN CLAYTON
WICHITA FALLS , TX

0.00

157

WESLEY BARNARD
HALLSVILLE , TX

ANDREW SCOTT
MARSHALL , TX

0.00

157

TIM WILCOXSON
EDGEWOOD , TX

JERAMY MARINELLI
ROYSE CITY , TX

0.00

157

ED BLACKBURN
GRAND PRAIRIE , TX

LARRY WALKER
GRAND PRAIRIE , TX

0.00

157

MIKE CALLAHAN
SPRINGTOWN , TX

JOHNNY TRAMMELL
BOYD , TX

0.00

157

MERLE LITTLE
FARMERSVILLE , TX

DON MEEK
PILOT POINT , TX

0.00

157

MONTE REAGAN
BURLESON , TX

DYLAN REAGAN
BURLESON , TX

0.00

157

JOHN HILL
PIEDMONT , OK

CHASE JACKSON
OKLAHOMA CITY , OK

0.00

157

CHRISTOPHER WADE
CANTON , TX

ARCHIE WADE
CANTON , TX

0.00

157

ROBERT JOHNSON
ALLEN , TX

EDWARD LEWIS
FAIRFIELD , TX

0.00

157

TYLER ROANE
GUNTER , TX

TANNER KINCHELOE
GUNTER , TX

0.00

157

JUNIOR MITCHELL
KRUGERVILLE , TX

JEFF BAUGUS
CROSS ROADS , TX

0.00

157

BENSON KELLY
PONDER , TX

LARRY MCCASKEY
KELLER , TX

0.00

157

JOE SMITH
FORNEY , TX

BRUCE SPRING
TERRELL , TX

0.00

157

MARK ELGIN
WICHITA FALLS , TX

JEFF PIERCE
HENRIETTA , TX

0.00

157

JOSHUA GLASGOW
LARUE , TX

CHRISTOPHER LEDBETTER
CRANDALL , TX

0.00

157

LANCE KENNY
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS , TX

JORDAN KENNY
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS , TX

0.00

by AnglersChannel

Danger Kelly Wins BFL Tournament on South Holston Reservoir

Virginia’s Austin Wins Co-angler Division

BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 1, 2020) – Boater Danger Kelly of Somerset, Kentucky, brought five bass to the scale Saturday totaling 14 pounds, 14 ounces to win the 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine event on South Holston Reservoir in Bristol, Tennessee. For his victory, Kelly earned a total of $3,021.

“I took a huge gamble and put all of my eggs into one basket – the shad spawn,” said Kelly, who earned the first victory of his FLW career. “It was an all or nothing deal, because all of my fishing time was going to be from 6:45 a.m. to 8 a.m. As soon as the sun was out the shad spawn would die, and my pattern was done.

“I targeted bass on the main-lake that were located on laydowns and submerged timber near the flooded bushes and trees along the shoreline,” Kelly continued. “It was extremely difficult casts – I had to get my lures back behind the rocks, behind bushes and under low-hanging branches. I couldn’t get a clean hookset. I knew it was going to be tough. I lost six fish, but I managed to put five nice smallmouth in the boat.”

Kelly’s bait of choice was a Strike King swimjig (Chartreuse Sexy Shad) with a Strike King Rage Swimmer swimbait (Pearl Flash).

“I ended up catching one or two more during the day, but I never culled. The five that I caught in the morning were the five that I brought to the scale,” Kelly went on to say. “I knew that committing to the shad spawn was going to be a huge gamble and I was either going to win or take dead last. I’m thankful that I had a great day and caught enough early to get the win.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament as follows:

1^st: Danger Kelly of Somerset, Ky., five bass, 14-14, $3,021

2^nd: Corey Neece of Bristol, Tenn., five bass, 13-14, $2,011

3^rd: Jaime Ratliff of Abingdon, Va., five bass, 13-9, $1,007

4^th: Eddie Richards of Corbin, Ky., five bass, 13-8, $705

5^th: Craig Powers of Rockwood, Tenn., five bass, 13-3, $604

6^th: Bryan Leonard of Blountville, Tenn., five bass, 12-15, $554

7^th: Jeffrey Mahaffey of Bristol, Tenn., five bass, 12-14, $504

8^th: Jerry Gallogly of North Tazewell, Va., five bass, 12-6, $453

9^th: Brandon Stanley of Johnson City, Tenn., five bass, 11-14, $403

10^th: Ken Vicchio of Bluff City, Tenn., five bass, 11-13, $352

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Tyler Altizer of Abingdon, Virginia, brought a 4-pound, 8-ounce bass to the scale to win the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $345.

Neece was the highest-finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member and took home an extra $500. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $7,000 per event in each Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.

Will Austin of Abingdon, Virginia, won the Co-angler Division and $1,683 Saturday after catching four bass weighing 11 pounds, 7 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers finished as follows:

1^st: Will Austin of Abingdon, Va., four bass, 11-7, $1,683

2^nd: Henry Bryan of Sevierville, Tenn., four bass, 10-14, $755

3^rd: Joshua Jernigan of Rocky Top, Tenn., five bass, 10-4, $504

4^th: Dennis Lane of Rutledge, Tenn., four bass, 9-6, $352

5^th: Fletcher Griffith of Hendersonville, N.C., four bass, 9-0, $302

6^th: Jim Thrift of Kingsport, Tenn., four bass, 8-15, $277

7^th: Justin McGaha of Knoxville, Tenn., four bass, 7-13, $252

8^th: Ben Arnold of La Follette, Tenn., three bass, 7-0, $227

9^th: Jacob Linkous of Rogersville, Tenn., three bass, 6-14, $201

10^th: Curtis Brown of Loudon, Tenn., two bass, 6-4, $167

10^th: Chris Hamby of Harriman, Tenn., three bass, 6-4, $167

Austin also caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, weighing in at 4 pounds, 1 ounce. The catch added to his winnings as he earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $172.

The 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine on South Holston Reservoir was the second of five qualifying events in the Volunteer Division.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the Volunteer Division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 8-10 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on the James River in Richmond, Virginia, hosted by Richmond Region Tourism. Boaters will compete for a $60,000 prize package, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new 18-foot Phoenix bass boat with a 200-horsepower outboard.

by AnglersChannel

Jacob Wheeler Wins Toyota Series Tournament at Pickwick Lake

FLORENCE, Ala. (May 30, 2020) – Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour angler Jacob Wheeler of Harrison, Tennessee, brought five bass to the scale weighing 17 pounds, 11 ounces to win the three-day Toyota Series at Pickwick Lake event Saturday in Florence, Alabama. Wheeler’s three-day total of 15 bass weighing 56-8 earned him the win by a 5-pound, 8-ounce margin over second-place angler Buddy Gross of Chickamauga, Georgia, and earned Wheeler the top payout of $38,545 in the second tournament of the 2020 Toyota Series Central Division season.

“I truthfully can’t even believe that just happened,” said Wheeler, the reigning MLF World Champion who earned the first Toyota Series win of his career. “I’ve competed at all levels, and it is so tough to win one of these Toyota Series events. A lot of pros compete in them, but they also have the great local fisherman that know their home bodies of water so well. They’re extremely hard to win, so to come out today with the victory – I am tremendously tickled.”

Wheeler said that he had no magic spot on Pickwick Lake, but estimated he fished around 30 different places throughout the week, throwing a variety of baits.

“I tried to find little 3- to 5-fish schools that were a little out of the way off the beaten path, and then when a community hole opened up I’d stop in there and try to catch a few fish. I caught fish from 10 feet to 30 feet, and I was constantly changing my baits based on where I was fishing,” Wheeler said.

Wheeler said that his key baits this week were a Rapala DT20 crankbait (Caribbean Shad), a Texas-rigged Googan Baits Mondo Worm and a 6-inch Lunker Log stick bait, and an Accent Ol’ Big Spinnerbait. He also mixed in some other baits, including a scrounger and a swimbait.

“My electronics setup was a huge deal for me this week, as well,” Wheeler went on to say. “Instead of signing with one company, I’m running Lowrance, Garmin and Humminbird units this year and that really helped me tremendously when I was finding those 3 to 5 fish schools.”

The top 10 pros on Pickwick Lake finished:

1^st: Jacob Wheeler of Harrison, Tenn., 15 bass, 56-8, $38,545

2^nd: Buddy Gross of Chickamauga, Ga., 15 bass, 51-0, $14,936

3^rd: Michael Bean of Bowling Green, Ky., 15 bass, 49-9, $11,563

4^th: Michael Brewer of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., 10 bass, 48-13, $9,636

5^th: Justin Atkins of Florence, Ala., 15 bass, 48-12, $8,673

6^th: Marshall Deakins of Dunlap, Tenn., 15 bass, 47-15, $7,709

7^th: Brent Anderson of Kingston Springs, Tenn., 15 bass, 46-4, $6,745

8^th: John Murray of Spring City, Tenn., 13 bass, 44-15, $5,782

9^th: Jimmy Washam of Covington, Tenn., 13 bass, 39-11, $4,959

10^th: Ricky Robinson of Greenback, Tenn., 10 bass, 36-14, $3,854

A complete list of results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Seth Davis of Harrison, Tennessee, took home an extra $1,000 as the highest finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $35,000 per event in each Toyota Series tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.

Washam brought an 8-pound, 9-ounce largemouth bass to the scale Friday – the largest fish weighed by a boater in the event – to earn the day’s Big Bass award of $141.

Josh Lockard of Somerset, Kentucky, won the Co-angler Division Saturday with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 48 pounds, 7 ounces. For his win, Lockard took home the top prize package of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor, worth $33,500.

The top 10 co-anglers on Pickwick Lake finished:

1^st: Josh Lockard of Somerset, Ky., 15 bass, 48-7, $33,500

2^nd: Phil Williams Jr. of Jamestown, Ky., 13 bass, 36-13, $4,868

3^rd: Nathan Woodruff of Iuka, Miss., 14 bass, 33-14, $3,894

4^th: Chris Quaintance of Muscle Shoals, Ala., 11 bass, 32-4, $3,502

5^th: Clint Pegg of Columbus, Miss., 12 bass, 31-14, $2,921

6^th: Andrew Gordon of Columbus, Miss., 12 bass, 29-11, $2,434

7^th: Todd Lee of Jasper, Ala., 11 bass, 29-1, $1,947

8^th: Benton Peoples of Bardstown, Ky., 11 bass, 26-8, $1,704

9^th: Bryan Dowdy of Florence, Ala., 11 bass, 25-10, $1,460

10^th: Samuel Maxwell of Vincennes, Ind., 10 bass, 23-12, $1,217

Quaintance weighed in the largest bass in the co-angler division on Thursday, bringing a 7-pound, 3-ounce bass to the stage. He earned the days Co-angler Big Bass award of $95.

The Toyota Series at Pickwick Lake was hosted by Florence/Lauderdale Tourism. It was the second of three regular-season tournaments in 2020 for Central Division anglers. For a complete schedule, visit FLWFishing.com.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Toyota Series on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

Ranger Pro John Murray leads by an ounce on Pickwick

May 29, 2020 by Rob Newell

Five years ago legendary western pro John Murray moved from Arizona to Spring City, Tenn., for one very specific reason: to learn how to fish Tennessee River lakes, especially to better understand the Tennessee River’s current and bass’ relationship to it. Today, Murray’s move to Tennessee paid off as he took the day-two lead in the Toyota Series Central Division event on Pickwick Lake. On day one Murray weighed in a respectable 16 pounds, 4 ounces. Today, he added 22 pounds, 10 ounces for a two-day total of 38 pounds, 14 ounces. He now has a slim one-ounce lead over Jacob Wheeler going into the final day.

Top five patterns

Complete results

“Tennessee River tournaments invariably are always on tournament schedules,” Murray says. “And nearly every time I’d go to a Tennessee River lake in the summer, I just bomb. I finally got tired of it and moved out here to learn these lakes.”

Murray gave credit to his Spring City, Tenn., neighbor Wesley Strader for teaching him some of the finer points of fishing Tennessee River current. Today, Murray utilized those lessons well.

“I’m not out there fishing the deep places and the deep schools,” Murray says. “I’m fishing more of the 7- to 10-foot range, on top of bars. I think this heavy current has the fish and shad pushed up on those places. If this current wasn’t running this hard, I don’t think they would be up where I’m catching them. Those shallower places are providing the necessary breaks that I’ve learned are so critical on these lakes.”

In addition, Murray believes there is some sort of shad spawn going on up on the shallower bars he is fishing. He can’t physically see visible evidence of the shad spawning, but he can electronically see them thanks to his forward-looking sonar.

“My boat is setting out, but I’m using that to scan across the tops of those bars and I every now and then a flurry of activity come across the screen,” he explains. “I believe that activity is big schools of shad spawning on and crossing those bars. At times I can literally see them being chased by bass.”

John Murray

Hence Murray’s 22-pound, 10-ounce catch, which started with three 5-pounders first thing this morning. His key baits have been a big worm and big jig cast up into the areas where he sees the activity on the screen, about 45 feet in front of the boat.

“I have to make the casts at the right angle in that current to get the bite,” he says. “If I cast across the bar, that fast current bows the line too much. So I have to cast more parallel with the bar so I can bring the lure down the bar with the current.”

Obviously, Murray’s Tennessee River current lessons are starting to pay off. With another big bag tomorrow, he could get one of the biggest paydays of his storied career: winning a tournament on the river system that has been a thorn in his side for so long.

Top 10 pros

1. John Murray – Spring City, Tenn. – 38-14 (10)

2. Jacob Wheeler – Harrison, Tenn. – 38-13 (10)

3. Buddy Gross – Chickamauga, Ga. – 37-2 (10)

4. Michael Brewer – Lawrenceburg, Tenn. – 36-15 (10)

5. Ricky Robinson – Greenback, Tenn. – 36-14 (10)

6. Michael Bean – Bowling Green, Ky. – 35-14 (10)

7. Brent Anderson – Kingston Springs, Tenn. – 35-5 (10)

8. Justin Atkins – Florence, Ala. – 35-1 (10)

9. Marshall Deakins – Dunlap, Tenn. – 34-13 (10)

10. Jimmy Washam – Covington, Tenn. – 33-2 (10)

by AnglersChannel

Gross leads Pickwick with over 24 pounds!

Story & Photos Courtesy of FLW

Buddy Gross won his first FLW Tour event on Pickwick Lake in May of 2016 fishing a shad spawn on eelgrass along the Tennessee River channel. Today, Gross rekindled those old memories from four years ago to bring in 24 pounds, 1 ounce and take the day one lead in the Toyota Series Central Division event on Pickwick.

Top five patterns

Complete results

While he is fishing the same general area where he won before, Gross says the cover is much different this time around.

“Last time it was all about the eelgrass,” he says. “This time the eelgrass is not as dominant – it’s not as tall – to create current breaks. This time there is more hydrilla there. But the common denominator is the shad spawn. The shad are still spawning, but it doesn’t last long. I caught a few big ones quickly, but it died fast.”

Buddy Gross

Gross says he normally likes to fish out much deeper on Pickwick than the 6- to 7-foot zone he is targeting now. But since he had a late boat draw (128) he figured the best deep community spots would be covered up, so he took a chance on the shallow grass first thing this morning because the spot was “open” and the gamble paid off.

Though Gross didn’t want to give up his exact baits just yet, he did say they are all big gizzard shad imitating baits.

“They are big baits and difficult to fish in that stringy hydrilla,” he adds. “I fought the grass all day, constantly slapping baits in the water to clear them. But if I could ever get a bait to come through the right zone clean, it would get inhaled.”

Gross has an earlier boat position tomorrow morning, which will give him a few more precious minutes in the height of shad spawn to make hay.

“There was no one on it this morning and no one ever tried to stop on it all day, so I should have it to myself first thing tomorrow and I’m looking forward to it.”

Top 10 pros

1. Buddy Gross – Chickamauga, Ga. – 24-1 (5)

2. Justin Atkins – Florence, Ala. – 21-14 (5)

3. Brent Anderson – Kingston Springs, Tenn. – 20-8 (5)

4. Michael Brewer – Lawrenceburg, Tenn. – 19-11 (5)

5. Josh Butler – Hayden, Ala. – 18-14 (5)

6. Seth Davis – Harrison, Tenn. – 18-13 (5)

7. Sloan Pennington – Childersburg, Ala. – 18-8 (5)

8. Keith Amerson – Bethel Springs, Tenn. – 18-6 (5)

9. Jacob Wheeler – Harrison, Tenn. – 18-2 (5)

10. Jason Lambert – Michie, Tenn. – 17-9 (5)

Complete results

Daniel Corkern

Corkern leads co-anglers

Daniel Corkern of Florence, Miss., leads the Co-angler Division after day one with a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, 4 ounces. Corkern is no stranger to Pickwick as he has racked up three top 10’s in the Phoenix Bass Fishing League. This is his first Toyota Series event and he has now put himself in the pole position going into day two.

PLACE	ANGLER	CITY/STATE	DAY 1 WT (Fish)	DAY 1-3 WT (Fish)	DAY 1-4 WT (Fish)	WINNINGS
1	BUDDY GROSS	CHICKAMAUGA, GA	24 - 1 (5)	24 - 1 (5)	24 - 1 (5)
2	JUSTIN ATKINS	FLORENCE, AL	21 - 14 (5)	21 - 14 (5)	21 - 14 (5)
3	BRENT ANDERSON	KINGSTON SPRINGS, TN	20 - 8 (5)	20 - 8 (5)	20 - 8 (5)
4	MICHAEL BREWER	LAWRENCEBURG, TN	19 - 11 (5)	19 - 11 (5)	19 - 11 (5)
5	JOSH BUTLER	HAYDEN, AL	18 - 14 (5)	18 - 14 (5)	18 - 14 (5)
6	SETH DAVIS	HARRISON, TN	18 - 13 (5)	18 - 13 (5)	18 - 13 (5)
7	SLOAN PENNINGTON	CHILDERSBURG, AL	18 - 8 (5)	18 - 8 (5)	18 - 8 (5)
8	KEITH AMERSON	BETHEL SPRINGS, TN	18 - 6 (5)	18 - 6 (5)	18 - 6 (5)
9	JACOB WHEELER	HARRISON, TN	18 - 2 (5)	18 - 2 (5)	18 - 2 (5)
10	JASON LAMBERT	MICHIE, TN	17 - 9 (5)	17 - 9 (5)	17 - 9 (5)
11	NATHAN MARTIN	SHEFFIELD, AL	17 - 6 (5)	17 - 6 (5)	17 - 6 (5)
12	MICHAEL BEAN	BOWLING GREEN, KY	17 - 2 (5)	17 - 2 (5)	17 - 2 (5)
13	CAMERON GAUTNEY	SHEFFIELD, AL	16 - 15 (5)	16 - 15 (5)	16 - 15 (5)
14	WAYNE DENNISON	SHEFFIELD, AL	16 - 4 (5)	16 - 4 (5)	16 - 4 (5)
14	JOHN MURRAY	SPRING CITY, TN	16 - 4 (5)	16 - 4 (5)	16 - 4 (5)
16	JIM NEECE JR	BRISTOL, TN	16 - 2 (5)	16 - 2 (5)	16 - 2 (5)
17	RICKY ROBINSON	GREENBACK, TN	15 - 14 (5)	15 - 14 (5)	15 - 14 (5)
18	MARSHALL DEAKINS	DUNLAP, TN	15 - 12 (5)	15 - 12 (5)	15 - 12 (5)
19	LAWSON TILGHMAN	SOMERVILLE, TN	15 - 11 (5)	15 - 11 (5)	15 - 11 (5)
20	GRANT GALLOWAY	HOULKA, MS	15 - 10 (5)	15 - 10 (5)	15 - 10 (5)
21	RYAN SALZMAN	HUNTSVILLE, AL	15 - 7 (5)	15 - 7 (5)	15 - 7 (5)
22	RICK BOWEN	JACKSON, TN	15 - 6 (5)	15 - 6 (5)	15 - 6 (5)
23	RAYMOND OWEN	IUKA, MS	15 - 2 (5)	15 - 2 (5)	15 - 2 (5)
24	WILLIAM MERRICK	MOUNT JULIET, TN	15 - 1 (5)	15 - 1 (5)	15 - 1 (5)
25	COLE FLOYD	LEESBURG, OH	15 - 0 (5)	15 - 0 (5)	15 - 0 (5)
26	CURREY HOLLEY	MADISON, AL	14 - 14 (5)	14 - 14 (5)	14 - 14 (5)
27	DONNY BECK	KILLEN, AL	14 - 12 (5)	14 - 12 (5)	14 - 12 (5)
28	NICK RATLIFF	VINE GROVE, KY	14 - 11 (5)	14 - 11 (5)	14 - 11 (5)
29	ANDY COY	CORINTH, MS	14 - 10 (5)	14 - 10 (5)	14 - 10 (5)
30	GARY ISGRIGG	MT. WASHINGTON, KY	14 - 8 (5)	14 - 8 (5)	14 - 8 (5)
31	CURT MCGUIRE	BUCHANAN, TN	14 - 6 (5)	14 - 6 (5)	14 - 6 (5)
32	MATT ROBERTSON	KUTTAWA, KY	14 - 2 (5)	14 - 2 (5)	14 - 2 (5)
33	SPENCER SHUFFIELD	HOT SPRINGS, AR	14 - 1 (5)	14 - 1 (5)	14 - 1 (5)
33	BRENT BUTLER	VONORE, TN	14 - 1 (5)	14 - 1 (5)	14 - 1 (5)
35	BRYAN WALDON	FALKNER, MS	13 - 15 (5)	13 - 15 (5)	13 - 15 (5)
36	MICHAEL NEAL	DAYTON, TN	13 - 12 (5)	13 - 12 (5)	13 - 12 (5)
37	MICHAEL CORBISHLEY	RALEIGH, NC	13 - 11 (5)	13 - 11 (5)	13 - 11 (5)
37	JOE RUCKER	NICHOLASVILLE, KY	13 - 11 (5)	13 - 11 (5)	13 - 11 (5)
39	MICKEY BECK	LEBANON, TN	13 - 10 (5)	13 - 10 (5)	13 - 10 (5)
40	CODY HARRISON	TUSCUMBIA, AL	13 - 9 (5)	13 - 9 (5)	13 - 9 (5)
41	ETHAN FRANKLIN	EMPIRE, AL	13 - 6 (5)	13 - 6 (5)	13 - 6 (5)
42	RUSTY WHITE	SODDY DAISY, TN	13 - 5 (5)	13 - 5 (5)	13 - 5 (5)
42	DREW BOGGS	LEBANON, TN	13 - 5 (5)	13 - 5 (5)	13 - 5 (5)
44	NATHAN ASHMORE	BALDWYN, MS	13 - 3 (5)	13 - 3 (5)	13 - 3 (5)
44	BILL SMITH JR	BURLINGTON, KY	13 - 3 (5)	13 - 3 (5)	13 - 3 (5)
46	FREDDY PALMER	ESTILL SPRINGS, TN	13 - 2 (5)	13 - 2 (5)	13 - 2 (5)
47	BOB BLACKERBY	CHELSEA, AL	13 - 0 (5)	13 - 0 (5)	13 - 0 (5)
47	JEFF CANNON	DOUGLASVILLE, GA	13 - 0 (5)	13 - 0 (5)	13 - 0 (5)
47	JORDAN NETTLES	LUMBERTON, MS	13 - 0 (5)	13 - 0 (5)	13 - 0 (5)
50	MATT BECKER	FINLEYVILLE, PA	12 - 15 (5)	12 - 15 (5)	12 - 15 (5)
51	WILLIAM CAMPBELL	MIDDLESBORO, KY	12 - 13 (5)	12 - 13 (5)	12 - 13 (5)
52	ANTHONY HAGEWOOD	HERNDON, KY	12 - 9 (5)	12 - 9 (5)	12 - 9 (5)
53	BRODY CAMPBELL	OXFORD, OH	12 - 8 (5)	12 - 8 (5)	12 - 8 (5)
53	JOEY WALTERS	SUMMERTOWN, TN	12 - 8 (5)	12 - 8 (5)	12 - 8 (5)
53	JORDAN HARTMAN	MURRAY, KY	12 - 8 (5)	12 - 8 (5)	12 - 8 (5)
56	BRANDON PERKINS	COUNCE, TN	12 - 7 (5)	12 - 7 (5)	12 - 7 (5)
57	KYLE HALL	GRANBURY, TX	12 - 6 (5)	12 - 6 (5)	12 - 6 (5)
58	DENNIS SHAWN PERRIGO	RIENZI, MS	12 - 4 (5)	12 - 4 (5)	12 - 4 (5)
58	JACK DALZELL	ELYRIA, OH	12 - 4 (5)	12 - 4 (5)	12 - 4 (5)
58	ALEX HESTER	CROSSVILLE, TN	12 - 4 (5)	12 - 4 (5)	12 - 4 (5)
61	GIL SUMMERLIN	GUNTERSVILLE, AL	12 - 2 (5)	12 - 2 (5)	12 - 2 (5)
61	TIMMY HORTON	MUSCLE SHOALS, AL	12 - 2 (5)	12 - 2 (5)	12 - 2 (5)
63	DUSTIN BERRYMAN	RUSSELLVILLE, AL	12 - 1 (5)	12 - 1 (5)	12 - 1 (5)
64	WESLEY STRADER	SPRING CITY, TN	12 - 0 (5)	12 - 0 (5)	12 - 0 (5)
64	JIMMY WASHAM	COVINGTON, TN	12 - 0 (5)	12 - 0 (5)	12 - 0 (5)
66	KRISTOPHER QUEEN	CATAWBA, NC	11 - 14 (5)	11 - 14 (5)	11 - 14 (5)
66	CHRIS MALONE	IRONTON, OH	11 - 14 (5)	11 - 14 (5)	11 - 14 (5)
68	LOGAN COLLIER	SAVANNAH, TN	11 - 11 (5)	11 - 11 (5)	11 - 11 (5)
69	MATT STANLEY	ALEXANDRIA, TN	11 - 9 (5)	11 - 9 (5)	11 - 9 (5)
69	JIM LITTLE	CORINTH, MS	11 - 9 (4)	11 - 9 (4)	11 - 9 (4)
71	CODY NICHOLS	FAYETTE, AL	11 - 6 (5)	11 - 6 (5)	11 - 6 (5)
71	ROBERT REAGAN	BYRDSTOWN, TN	11 - 6 (4)	11 - 6 (4)	11 - 6 (4)
73	JONATHAN BOWLING	HARRIMAN, TN	11 - 5 (5)	11 - 5 (5)	11 - 5 (5)
74	KOTA KIRIYAMA	GUNTERSVILLE, AL	11 - 1 (5)	11 - 1 (5)	11 - 1 (5)
75	TRAVIS LOYD	MCGEE, MS	10 - 15 (5)	10 - 15 (5)	10 - 15 (5)
76	DUSTIN EVANS	EADS, TN	10 - 13 (5)	10 - 13 (5)	10 - 13 (5)
77	JEFF MCLAIN	COLUMBUS, MS	10 - 6 (5)	10 - 6 (5)	10 - 6 (5)
78	MICHAEL ROACH	OLIVE BRANCH, MS	10 - 3 (5)	10 - 3 (5)	10 - 3 (5)
79	JASON REYES	HUFFMAN, TX	10 - 1 (5)	10 - 1 (5)	10 - 1 (5)
80	DEREK MILLS	SELLERSBURG, IN	10 - 0 (5)	10 - 0 (5)	10 - 0 (5)
81	BRENNON MCCORD	JOHNSTON CITY, IL	9 - 13 (4)	9 - 13 (4)	9 - 13 (4)
82	BLAKE SCHROEDER	WHITEHOUSE, TX	9 - 11 (4)	9 - 11 (4)	9 - 11 (4)
83	BILL DAY	FRANKFORT, KY	9 - 6 (5)	9 - 6 (5)	9 - 6 (5)
84	JOSEPH WEBSTER	WINFIELD, AL	9 - 4 (4)	9 - 4 (4)	9 - 4 (4)
85	RON SMITH	WALTON, KY	8 - 14 (3)	8 - 14 (3)	8 - 14 (3)
85	CRISPIN POWLEY	CAMDEN, TN	8 - 14 (4)	8 - 14 (4)	8 - 14 (4)
87	BRENT CROW	HARTSELLE, AL	8 - 13 (4)	8 - 13 (4)	8 - 13 (4)
88	ROBB YOUNG	ROGERSVILLE, AL	8 - 11 (3)	8 - 11 (3)	8 - 11 (3)
89	BRAD ADKINS	WEST LIBERTY, KY	8 - 9 (3)	8 - 9 (3)	8 - 9 (3)
90	SHAWN HAWKS	VINTON, OH	8 - 8 (4)	8 - 8 (4)	8 - 8 (4)
91	SCOTTY ESTES	HOLLY POND, AL	8 - 7 (3)	8 - 7 (3)	8 - 7 (3)
92	KEVIN MEUNIER	LAMAR, IN	8 - 6 (4)	8 - 6 (4)	8 - 6 (4)
93	JASON FOSTER	RIPLEY, MS	8 - 3 (4)	8 - 3 (4)	8 - 3 (4)
94	BRAD ROBERTS	FAUBUSH, KY	8 - 2 (4)	8 - 2 (4)	8 - 2 (4)
95	MASON SAPP	CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY	7 - 15 (4)	7 - 15 (4)	7 - 15 (4)
96	JIMMY GAYHART	SADIEVILLE, KY	7 - 6 (2)	7 - 6 (2)	7 - 6 (2)
96	WAYNE COOK	GAUTIER, MS	7 - 6 (4)	7 - 6 (4)	7 - 6 (4)
98	JIMMY BREWER	MARSHALL, TX	6 - 15 (3)	6 - 15 (3)	6 - 15 (3)
99	TIM WILSON	MARION, IN	6 - 14 (2)	6 - 14 (2)	6 - 14 (2)
100	SHANE MELTON	KOKOMO, IN	6 - 13 (3)	6 - 13 (3)	6 - 13 (3)
101	JOSH SHIRLEY	CABOT, AR	6 - 12 (3)	6 - 12 (3)	6 - 12 (3)
102	JOHN JANICK	ADAMS, TN	6 - 9 (3)	6 - 9 (3)	6 - 9 (3)
103	JEFF DYER	OAK HILL, OH	6 - 8 (3)	6 - 8 (3)	6 - 8 (3)
104	EDWARD GETTYS	PARIS, TN	6 - 6 (3)	6 - 6 (3)	6 - 6 (3)
104	CHARLES WATTS	CORINTH, MS	6 - 6 (3)	6 - 6 (3)	6 - 6 (3)
106	BRAD MCCLURE	BRENTWOOD, TN	6 - 3 (1)	6 - 3 (1)	6 - 3 (1)	$141
107	JIM MOYNAGH	SHAKOPEE, MN	6 - 2 (4)	6 - 2 (4)	6 - 2 (4)
108	CHRIS HURD	NANCY, KY	6 - 1 (3)	6 - 1 (3)	6 - 1 (3)
109	TOMMY BROWN	LOUISVILLE, TN	5 - 12 (3)	5 - 12 (3)	5 - 12 (3)
110	DUSTIN NEAT	DUNNVILLE, KY	5 - 11 (2)	5 - 11 (2)	5 - 11 (2)
111	JOEY SCHMIDT	HICKORY, KY	5 - 10 (2)	5 - 10 (2)	5 - 10 (2)
112	DAVID DOVE	COLUMBUS, MS	5 - 8 (2)	5 - 8 (2)	5 - 8 (2)
112	KYLE GLASGOW	GUIN, AL	5 - 8 (3)	5 - 8 (3)	5 - 8 (3)
114	JEFF CARMAN	LIBERTY, KY	5 - 7 (3)	5 - 7 (3)	5 - 7 (3)
115	JACOPO GALLELLI	FLORENCE, FI	5 - 5 (2)	5 - 5 (2)	5 - 5 (2)
116	PARKER MAPLES	AMORY, MS	5 - 4 (2)	5 - 4 (2)	5 - 4 (2)
117	BILLY HURT	SPRING CREEK, TN	5 - 3 (3)	5 - 3 (3)	5 - 3 (3)
118	COLE LOGSDON	WINDYVILLE, KY	4 - 9 (2)	4 - 9 (2)	4 - 9 (2)
118	MICHAEL WOOLEY	BOONEVILLE, MS	4 - 9 (2)	4 - 9 (2)	4 - 9 (2)
120	JOSH NORRIS	SPRING CITY, TN	4 - 8 (2)	4 - 8 (2)	4 - 8 (2)
120	JEFF RICHEY	GLASGOW, KY	4 - 8 (2)	4 - 8 (2)	4 - 8 (2)
122	JASON HAGEWOOD	CADIZ, KY	4 - 3 (2)	4 - 3 (2)	4 - 3 (2)
122	BRIAN BAKER	OLMSTEAD, KY	4 - 3 (2)	4 - 3 (2)	4 - 3 (2)
124	TONY PRINCE	PULASKI, TN	4 - 0 (2)	4 - 0 (2)	4 - 0 (2)
124	CLAY REECE	LEXINGTON, KY	4 - 0 (1)	4 - 0 (1)	4 - 0 (1)
126	BRIAN HATFIELD	SPRING CITY, TN	3 - 15 (2)	3 - 15 (2)	3 - 15 (2)
126	ALLEN BROOKS JR	CANTON, GA	3 - 15 (2)	3 - 15 (2)	3 - 15 (2)
128	HERMILO SALGADO	ARTEMUS, KY	3 - 13 (2)	3 - 13 (2)	3 - 13 (2)
129	WESLEY ANDERSON	MOSCOW, TN	3 - 12 (2)	3 - 12 (2)	3 - 12 (2)
130	TRENT SURATT	LAWRENCEBURG, TN	3 - 11 (2)	3 - 11 (2)	3 - 11 (2)
131	JOHN WELLS	NASHVILLE, TN	3 - 6 (2)	3 - 6 (2)	3 - 6 (2)
132	STEVE WHITAKER	SCOTTSVILLE, KY	3 - 4 (1)	3 - 4 (1)	3 - 4 (1)
133	RYAN DAVIDSON	BRANCHLAND, WV	2 - 7 (1)	2 - 7 (1)	2 - 7 (1)
134	JAMES TAYLOR	HUMBOLDT, TN	2 - 6 (1)	2 - 6 (1)	2 - 6 (1)
135	JAMES CHRISTIAN	DICKSON, TN	2 - 4 (1)	2 - 4 (1)	2 - 4 (1)
135	STEVE BARNES	HARRISON, TN	2 - 4 (1)	2 - 4 (1)	2 - 4 (1)
137	COLVIN HENSON	BATTLEFIELD, MO	2 - 3 (1)	2 - 3 (1)	2 - 3 (1)
137	THOMAS ESCUE	POINT PLEASANT, WV	2 - 3 (1)	2 - 3 (1)	2 - 3 (1)
139	COLTON BREEDING	SPARTA, TN	1 - 15 (1)	1 - 15 (1)	1 - 15 (1)
140	DAVID WOOTTON	COLLIERVILLE, TN	1 - 13 (1)	1 - 13 (1)	1 - 13 (1)
	BRIAN ELDER	LOCUST GROVE, GA	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)
	CHRIS WOOTEN	WEST POINT, MS	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)
	KURT MITCHELL	MILFORD, DE	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)
	JADE KEETON	FLORENCE, AL	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)
	DAKOTA EBARE	DENHAM SPRINGS, LA	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)
	ANDREW LUXON	RICHMOND, KY	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)
	WALTER OGLE	ROCKFORD, TN	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)
	WILLIAM CRUM	MOSHEIM, TN	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)
	DILLON SAFFLE	BALLWIN, MO	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)
	ANTHONY ROY	LANCASTER, KY	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)
	ADAM HORNBERGER	TROY, IL	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)	0 - 0 (0)

by AnglersChannel

FLW Shares COVID-19 Guidelines for Upcoming Tournaments

BENTON, Ky. (May 28, 2020) – FLW, the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today COVID-19 guidelines intended to assist anglers and staff as the organization resumes tournament operations with the Toyota Series event at Pickwick Lake (Tenn.). These guidelines apply to all 2020 FLW tournaments including the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and the Phoenix Bass Fishing League. FLW referenced state, local, and Public Health resources, as well as industry examples, to develop these guidelines during this unprecedented time for the sport of competitive bass fishing.

The organization paused all FLW competition in mid-March in an effort to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. FLW tournaments will resume under an abundance of caution with attendance limited to competing anglers and essential tournament staff. The Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit resumes June 23-26 on Lake Chickamauga (Tenn.).

FLW shared the guidelines with all competitors via standard tournament communication channels to assist all participants in understanding how their events will be operated in accordance with current CDC protocols.

“We’re all looking forward to getting back to fishing,” said FLW Executive Vice President and General Manager Kathy Fennel. “And while these guidelines are not what we’re used to at an FLW event, they’re extremely important as we work to respect everyone involved – anglers, staff, our families back home, and the host communities - during this unprecedented time.”

The FLW guidelines include:

Anglers should not participate in the tournament if they have had any of the following symptoms within the last 14 days:

- Fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Dry cough
- Running nose
- Muscle pain
- Sore throat
- Diminished sense of taste or smell

Anglers are advised to wear a cloth mask and/or face covering at takeoff and weigh-in and while seated in the boat. Masks may be removed while fishing on the front and rear deck of the boat.
Only pre-tournament meetings that can comply with physical distancing guidelines will be conducted. All other rules and guidance will be communicated electronically to participants prior to each tournament.
Flights will be spaced with adequate time to allow for physical distancing at the weigh-in.
Queues for weigh-in will be clearly marked with cones to maintain a minimum 6-foot spacing between anglers.
A limited number of weigh-in bags will be distributed to provide for adequate physical distancing at the weigh-in tubs. Tubs will be spaced so that anglers waiting to weigh their catch will always be at least 6 feet apart.
FLW staff working the weigh-in tubs will wear cloth masks/face coverings and face shields.
Gloves (non-latex) will be provided to anglers and staff for handling weigh-in bags.
Hand sanitizer will be provided to anglers and staff.
Anglers that take the stage for weigh-in are asked to place their fish on the scale, then step behind a 6-foot line marked on the stage while the tournament director weighs their fish. After the weight is recorded, anglers will take their fish off the stage while the tournament director maintains a 6-foot distance. Anglers are advised to wear a cloth mask and/or face covering while crossing the stage.
Each tournament director will use a dedicated microphone.
A second microphone that is sanitized between uses will be provided for anglers who wish to give interviews. Otherwise no on-stage interview will be conducted.
Weigh-in bag handles will be disinfected between uses.

For additional information, including the updated 2020 tournament schedule and registration, visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news regarding this weekend’s event on Pickwick Lake, follow the Toyota Series on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

High School Fishing Digital Tournament from Lew’s and Strike King in Home Stretch

57 Teams Currently Competing in 12-week competitions

Lexington, S.C. – May 28, 2020 – The Lew’s / Strike King High School Fishing Digital Tournament has passed the halfway mark, and competitors are turning in some impressive results.

Seven weeks into the 12-week long competition, the 57 high school fishing teams, competing in their own regions have been battling for a weekly Big Bass prize of a Mach rod and reel combo, and a random weekly drawing for a Strike King “Tie One On” prize drawing. At the end of the 12-week period, the team with the overall grand prize for the most total inches reported in each region, will receive two Lew’s Mach combos and a $200 retail value Strike King prize pack.

Thus far, results of the competition are as follows: In total, all 57 teams competing have logged 3,150 total catches, measuring a total of 50,139 inches to the leaderboard using the Hook’D Fishing Tournaments App during the seven weeks of competition.

As far as the Grand prize cumulative leaderboard goes; leading the North region is the Brownsburg Fishing Club, and leading the West is the Delta Saints Bass, while the South Forsyth High Fishing Team is at the top of the Southern Region.

The largest bass of the event thus far is a 26.25-inch largemouth caught by the Seminole Junior Anglers during week 5 of the competition.

David May, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Lew’s Holding continues to be impressed with the performance of the teams and the level of involvement. “We are extremely pleased to see the engagement and eagerness of these high school anglers with our digital tournament,” said May. “Lew’s has always been a strong supporter of youth and high school fishing. This has been a lot of fun so far, we’re always excited about seeing the results posted to the leaderboard.”

He also said having a great partnership has made this program happen. “With this being the first time we’ve hosted an event like this, we’re happy to have a partner like the Hook’D Fishing Tournaments app involved,” said May. “We’re glad to be able to provide a safe outlet for fishing competition with high school teams over the past several and coming weeks. It’ll be exciting to see who takes the grand prizes in the end!”

It is never too late for a team to enter, it only takes one fish catch submission to win a weekly big bass prize, but your team has to be entered into the competition at the time of the catch to win. The 12-week program runs through Sunday, June 28.

For weekly results, and for more information about the High School Fishing Digital Tournament from Lew’s and Strike King, go to https://www.lews.com/digital-fishing-tournament.

For more information about how high school fishing teams can get involved with Lew’s and Strike King, go to https://www.lews.com/academicprograms or https://www.strikeking.com/resources/academic-programs

by AnglersChannel

BRP Advances Marine Strategy by Focusing on Boats and New Technologies

Company discontinues the manufacturing of outboard engines and agrees with market leader Mercury Marine to support boat packages

Valcourt, Quebec, May 27, 2020 – BRP (TSX: DOO; NASDAQ: DOOO) announced today it has re-oriented its marine business by focusing on the growth of its boat brands with new technology and innovative marine products. We will discontinue production of Evinrude E-TEC and E-TEC G2 outboard engines. Our Sturtevant, WI, facility, will be repurposed for new projects to pursue our plan to provide consumers with an unparalleled experience on the water.

We remain committed to our Buy, Build, Transform Marine strategy which has been underway since 2018 with the acquisition of Alumacraft and Manitou boat companies in the U.S., followed by the acquisition of Australian boat manufacturer Telwater in 2019.

“Our outboard engines business has been greatly impacted by COVID-19, obliging us to discontinue production of our outboard motors immediately. This business segment had already been facing some challenges and the impact from the current context has forced our hand,” said José Boisjoli, President and CEO of BRP. “We will concentrate our efforts on new and innovative technologies and on the development of our boat companies, where we continue to see a lot of potential to transform the on-water experience for consumers,” he added.

Discontinuing outboard engine business and signing an agreement with Mercury Marine
Following our decision to discontinue E-TEC and E-TEC G2 outboard engines, we have signed an agreement with market leader Mercury Marine to support boat packages and continue to supply outboard engines to our boat brands.

We will continue to supply customers and our dealer network service parts and will honour our manufacturer limited warranties, plus offer select programs to manage inventory. These decisions will impact 650 employees globally.

Pursuing new opportunities within Build and Transform phases of strategy
With this announcement, BRP will be positioned to expand its presence in the pontoon and aluminum fishing markets through technologically advanced solutions. We will leverage our track record of ingenuity through our R&D resources to enhance the boating experience with unique new marine products, such as the next generation of engine technology with Project Ghost and the next generation of pontoons with Project M, code names for new products we expect to transform the industry.

Maximizing operational and functional efficiencies
Lastly, we will consolidate Alumacraft operations from two sites to one. All Alumacraft operations will be transferred to St Peter, MN and our site in Arkadelphia, AR will be permanently closed. In addition, we want to upgrade the boat production facilities to reorganize manufacturing sites and apply the modularity model used elsewhere. This move is designed to enhance productivity and efficiency and to allow us to respond with even more agility to demand.

by AnglersChannel

Fort Worth, Lake Ray Roberts Poised To Host First Bassmaster Classic

Fort Worth and Lake Ray Roberts will host the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic March 19-21, 2021.

May 27, 2020

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — For just the third time in the event’s storied history, the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic will be coming to Texas. The eyes of Texas — and the world — will be watching March 19-21, 2021 as the Super Bowl of Professional Bass Fishing heads to Fort Worth with fishing taking place at Lake Ray Roberts in nearby Denton.

It will mark the first time Fort Worth will host the Bassmaster Classic, as well as the first time a major B.A.S.S. tournament has been held on this fishery.

“There are very few firsts in the world of sports,” said Chase Anderson, Chairman of B.A.S.S. “We can’t wait to have a historic first next year when fishing’s biggest stage comes to Fort Worth. Our fans, sponsors and anglers are sure to be in for an incredible experience.”

Downtown Fort Worth will be on full display during the event, hosted by the Fort Worth Sports Commission and Visit Fort Worth. Outdoors enthusiasts can browse at the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo, which will be held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center, before taking in daily weigh-in festivities at nearby Dickies Arena.

“We could not have secured this world-class event without the support of our community partners,” said Bob Jameson, President and CEO for Visit Fort Worth, parent organization of the Fort Worth Sports Commission. “We are grateful to Dickies Arena, Will Rogers Memorial Center, the City of Fort Worth, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Lake Ray Roberts, The Stockyards and many more for their time and thoughtful collaboration to ensure Fort Worth offers a world-class experience to anglers, their families and fans.”

Recent Classics held in Birmingham, Ala., and Knoxville, Tenn., have drawn record-breaking crowds of more than 120,000 fans to Classic Week events, including the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo. The Outdoors Expo has grown into the largest consumer fishing show in the country, with 200 exhibitors from around the world onsite selling a variety of merchandise for fishing, hunting, camping and more — an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Exhibition space fills quickly for this in-demand show, so interested businesses are encouraged to get on the waiting list today at Bassmaster.com/Expo.

“The Fort Worth Sports Commission is proud to host the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic in Fort Worth,” said Jason Sands, director of the Fort Worth Sports Commission. “This is the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing and it will be an incredible privilege to welcome anglers, their families and fans from around the country to Fort Worth. This championship will bring over 70,000 visitors with an expected $20 million in direct spending including in our hotels, restaurants, retail, attractions and more. The Fort Worth Sports Commission will be monitoring event protocol and safety procedures as they evolve over the next several months to ensure Fort Worth is ready to host this prestigious tournament next spring.”

According to numbers released by the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic provided a direct economic impact of $20.8 million and an indirect boost in business sales of $15.1 million. This total of $35.9 million for the 2020 event is an increase over the 2019 Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville, Tenn., which generated a total economic impact of $32.2 million, according to Visit Knoxville.

A perennial contender on Bassmaster Magazine’s annual 100 Best Bass Lakes list, Lake Ray Roberts was the No. 15 fishery in the Central Region for 2019, and historically, has appeared in the Top 10 multiple years. In a state known for producing big bags, Lake Ray Roberts continues to shine. Tournaments on this 29,350-acre reservoir regularly require anglers to average at least 5-pounders to win.

“Academy Sports + Outdoors has helped families in Fort Worth have fun for over 25 years,” said Lawrence Lobpries, Academy Sports + Outdoors’ senior vice president of marketing. “We’re excited to be a part of providing pro and recreational anglers alike access to bass fishing’s biggest event. We hope the experiences shared at this event will inspire growth in fishing participation across Texas and the rest of the country.”

The 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic in Fort Worth will be covered live and streamed on Bassmaster.com, ESPN3 and the ESPN App, and five hours of original programming will be aired on ESPN2 and the Pursuit Channel following the event.

For complete details and more information as it becomes available, visit Bassmaster.com.

About Visit Fort Worth
Visit Fort Worth is the official destination marketing organization of the 13th-largest city in the United States, dedicated to promoting Fort Worth as a premier business and leisure destination with thriving centers of creativity, culture and commerce. Visit Fort Worth is the parent organization of The Fort Worth Herd, the Fort Worth Film Commission, the Fort Worth Sports Commission and music initiative Hear Fort Worth.

About the Fort Worth Sports Commission
The Fort Worth Sports Commission advances the city as an international sports destination. A division of Visit Fort Worth, the Sports Commission attracts youth, collegiate and professional events that deliver economic impact and boost Fort Worth’s image. The Commission supports development of and access to facilities that enhance the quality of life for all Fort Worth. For more information, visit www.FortWorth.com/Sports.

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2 and The Pursuit Channel), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, new Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.

by AnglersChannel

"Pinching it off" with the Crews Missile

This week Chris and the boys welcome in Bassmaster Elite Series Pro and industry veteran John Crews to the show to talk about his time in quarantine, his video making prowess and what its like being a business owner in the fishing industry. All this and more, just hit play!

by AnglersChannel

Seaguar® Expands Its Ranks of Pro Team Anglers

Throughout the world, across the country, and even within your state, innovative anglers develop unique presentations and perfect creative refinements to help them catch more fish. Many of the advances to the art and science of fishing originate with professional anglers, as success within the fiery cauldron of competition often requires out-of-the-box thinking to transfer wary, pressured bass from lake to livewell. Seaguar^®, the inventors of fluorocarbon fishing line and leading innovators in line technology, embraces the insights developed by tournament anglers, and is pleased to welcome a new group of touring professionals to their pro team.

MLF Bass Pro Tour and FLW Tour Anglers

Luke Clausen is one of only a handful of anglers to win both Forrest L. Wood Cup and Bassmaster Classic trophies. Clausen notched those two victories early in his career, winning the FLW title in 2004 and the Classic in 2006 – just 18 months into his time as a professional angler. That kick start has turned into one of the most successful tournament fishing careers to date: Clausen has racked up 32 top 10 finishes and over $2.5 million in tournament winnings, and currently competes on the MLF Bass Pro Tour. Finesse swimbaits are one of Clausen’s favorite presentations, and he relies on 20-pound test Seaguar Smackdown™ to get his bite-sized baits deep and keep them in the strike zone.

Gerald Spohrer traces his fishing roots to early childhood trips with his Grandfather in pursuit of the Louisiana bayous’ abundant redfish and speckled trout. After cutting his teeth in Bassmaster Opens and Elite Series events and qualifying for his first Bassmaster Classic in 2019, Spohrer made the move to the MLF Bass Pro Tour during its inaugural season. Spohrer feels that the willingness to listen to your own instincts can separate good anglers from great ones, and will be leveraging Seaguar fluorocarbon and braided lines in pursuit of tournament victories this season.

Miles “Sonar” Burghoff enters his second year on the FLW Tour after fishing competitively for well over a decade, including 17 top 10 finishes and the distinction of being the only angler to qualify for the BFL All-American through the college ranks. A successful Tennessee River guide with a very active social media presence, Burghoff is also the co-host of Sweetwater Fishing TV and an FLW Cup qualifier. Burghoff prefers Seaguar fluorocarbon and braided lines because they consistently have smaller diameters than other lines at the same pound test rating, giving anglers the edge and putting more fish in the boat.

Matt Becker, the 2018 FLW Tour Rookie of the Year and two-time FLW Cup qualifier, is in his third year fishing on the FLW Tour. With seven top 10 finishes and one victory under his belt, Becker is a believer in linking the power and sensitivity of Seaguar Smackdown™ with the abrasion resistance and near invisibility underwater of Seaguar AbrazX^®. For example, at his recent fourth place finish at the FLW event on Lake Martin, Becker targeted largemouth on wacky rigs using 20-pound Smackdown™ in Flash Green, coupled to a 10- or 12-pound test AbrazX leader.

Bassmaster Elite Series and Bassmaster Opens

Chris and Cory Johnston are two Canadian brothers who are pursuing their professional fishing dreams together as Bassmaster Elite Series anglers after several successful seasons on the FLW Tour. The Johnston brothers have fished together for over 20 years, sharing expenses, tournament winnings, and sponsor support through a partnership that is unique in professional angling circuits. Chris and Cory also share a tournament-tested appreciation for Seaguar lines and leaders – they spool their spinning gear with Tatsu and their baitcasters with AbrazX, and also turn to the enhanced abrasion resistance of AbrazX leaders for any presentation that involves bottom contact.

Drew Cook won the 2019 Rookie of the Year title on the Bassmaster Elite Series and is starting his second year of fishing the Elite circuit. A professed “self-taught” angler, Cook has been fishing competitively since the age of 13, winning the Bassmaster Florida State Championship while in high school. A season-long fan of lipless rattlebaits, Cook spools up with 30- to 50-pound test Seaguar Smackdown™ to rip his lures through grass and bounce them off stumps.

Marc Frazier has set his sights on qualifying for the Bassmaster Elite Series as he begins his second season fishing the Bassmaster Opens. Frazier, who was once drafted by the San Francisco Giants to play Major League Baseball, decided instead to pursue a college education – and eventually, professional bass fishing. Join us in watching this Georgia native climb through the ranks and earn his way to the Elites!

by AnglersChannel

FLW Set for Return to Competition with Toyota Series Tournament on Pickwick Lake

FLORENCE, Ala. (May 21, 2020) – FLW is set to return to tournament competition next week in Florence, Alabama, with the three-day Toyota Series event at Pickwick Lake, May 28-30. Hosted by Florence/Lauderdale Tourism, the event will feature a return to action for the region’s best bass-fishing pros and co-anglers.

The event will be the first FLW tournament held since the organization paused all competition in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. The tournament will be held under an abundance of caution, with limited attendance to anglers and essential tournament staff only. Fans are encouraged to forgo daily takeoffs and weigh-ins and follow the event online through “FLW Live” weigh-in broadcasts and coverage at FLWFishing.com.

“It’s definitely going to be an offshore deal, and it’s going to be a slugfest,” said Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit rookie Cole Floyd.

Floyd said that on Kentucky Lake, the fishing has been a little behind this year, but he thinks that only makes the timing better at Pickwick.

“I’ll usually start finding fish out on mid-range stuff now, or a week before now (mid-May),” said Floyd of the offshore bite. “It’s kind of behind here (at Kentucky Lake). We haven’t had a shad spawn yet, and usually it’s going on now. I’ve heard that it hasn’t quite happened yet there (at Pickwick), but I think this tournament will hit it right on the nail.”

For catching offshore fish, Floyd thinks that cranking will be clutch, as that’s usually one of the best early producers offshore on the Tennessee River. Other traditional ledge-fishing baits will work as well, including football jigs and other dragging baits. Swimbaits, hair jigs and fluke-style baits on Scrounger-style heads could also produce, and they have a history of success in the summer on Pickwick.

For the shallow-water stuff, Floyd said that big spinnerbaits can be very good around spawning shad. Big, shallow-running crankbaits may also be a good bet to catch the better-than-average largemouth that are shallow and gorging on big gizzard shad.

“I bet it’s going to be crazy. There will also be guys that catch them out of shallower stuff, too. They will be tough to beat if they find that stuff,” Floyd went on to say. “I bet the weights will be crazy. I’d say it’ll take high 60s to win over three days.”

Anglers will take off from McFarland Park, located at 200 Jim Spain Drive, in Florence at 6 a.m. CDT each day of competition. The weigh-ins will be broadcast at FLWFishing.com each day from McFarland Park, beginning at 2 p.m.

In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of $40,000, plus an extra $35,000 if FLW PHOENIX BONUS qualified. Co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of $65,000, plus an extra $35,000 if FLW PHOENIX BONUS qualified. Co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard (valued at $33,500) plus $5,000 cash.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Toyota Series on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

Booming Interest In Bassmaster Opens Brings First Live Coverage, More Angler Opportunities For Rest Of Season

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The excitement of sportfishing kicks off again in June with seven tournaments remaining in the hotly contested Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series. With fan interest at an all-time high and a stacked field of anglers that includes some of the sport’s biggest names, B.A.S.S. officials announced plans today to expand live coverage and make it easier for additional pro anglers to compete in the Opens.

“Our anglers, fans and sponsors are excited to get back to the fun and excitement of tournament fishing when the season resumes this summer,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “The 2020 Bassmaster Opens has set up to be among the most competitive in history, and we were thrilled to get the season rescheduled.

“While it was disappointing to postpone events, our team worked diligently during the unexpected downtime to improve Opens Series coverage options and implement additional technology that fans and anglers alike are sure to love. Now we just have to wait and see what these talented anglers catch!”

Over the course of January’s Bassmaster Eastern Open at Harris Chain, the leaderboard was visited an astounding 392,000 times as fans tuned in to follow the progress of their favorite anglers! Now, fishing fans will have two new options for following the on-the-water action. Beginning June 18 with the Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open at Arkansas River, both boaters and co-anglers will use BASSTrakk for real-time updates. Plus, fans can follow the final-day drama by streaming Nationwide Bassmaster Opens LIVE presented by Grizzly as camera boats provide coverage of the leaders.

But it is not just fans who will have more access to on-the-water action. More anglers will also have an opportunity to compete for the coveted Falcon Rods Angler of the Year title!

While Opens tournaments have traditionally seen a pro angler and co-angler competing from the same boat, new rules going into place when the season restarts on the Arkansas River in June will allow for some pros to compete without a co-angler on one of the first two full-field days of the tournament on a random basis. Those pro anglers currently on the waiting list for tournaments will be added to the field. Registration for the first Bassmaster Central Open on the Arkansas River has been extended through May 29, 2020 and all late fees will be waived. Registration information can be found at Bassmaster.com/Opens.

“In these unprecedented times, it’s understandable that fewer co-anglers may want to commit to a tournament and be in close proximity to others,” said Chris Bowes, Tournament Director for the Opens Series. “But we wanted to ensure that pro anglers still have an opportunity to compete and collect valuable points toward the Falcon Rods Angler of the Year race as well as qualify for a spot on the Elite Series.”

Adding to the drama of the 2020 Bassmaster Opens, the new Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year title awards $10,000 to the overall points winner in the pro division. The top co-angler will have the pro division entry fees into the 2021 Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens division of his or her choice paid for — a value of approximately $7,200!

The 2020 Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens features four events in two divisions — Eastern and Central — with the winners of each event earning an automatic berth into the 2021 Bassmaster Classic, provided he or she has fished all four events in that division. The Top 4 anglers from each division’s final points standings will receive an invitation to fish the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series. As a new addition, Elite Series invitations will also be extended to the Top 4 anglers from the cumulative standings for both divisions for a total of 12 invitations.

Among those fighting for those coveted Elite Series invitations are 46 anglers who have registered to fish all eight Opens Series tournaments plus two current Elite pros, Brandon Palaniuk and Gerald Swindle, who are fishing the entire season to help ensure they requalify for the Series.

Daisuke Aoki, Minamitsurugun, Japan
Cody Bertrand, Dyer, Ind.
Randy Blaukat, Joplin, Mo.
Wyatt Burkhalter, Coker, Ala.
Todd Castledine, Nacogdoches, Texas
Jason Christie, Park Hill, Okla.
Josh Douglas, Isle, Minn.
Anthony Dumitras, Winston, Ga.
Denny Fiedler, Wabasha, Minn.
Marc Frazier, Newnan, Ga.
John Garrett, Union City, Tenn.
Caleb Gibson, Locust Grove, Okla.
Cody Hahner, Wausau, Wis.
Bradley Hallman, Norman, Okla.
Charlie Hartley, Grove City, Ohio
Andy Hribar, Lakeville, Minn.
Cody Huff, Ava, Mo.
John Hunter Jr., Simpsonville, Ky.
Ken Iyobe, Tokoname, Japan
Rex Jaeger, Fairfield Township, Ohio
Teb Jones, Hattiesburg, Miss.
Seiji Kato, Outsu Shiga, Japan
Kenta Kimura, Osaka, Japan
Brad Knight, Lancing, Tenn.
Brian Latimer, Belton, S.C.
Greg Mansfield, Olathe, Kan.
Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla.
Kenny Mittelstaedt, Minnetonka, Minn.
Bryan New, Belmont, N.C.
Brandon Palaniuk, Rathdrum, Idaho
Scott Pellegrin, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Luke Plunkett, Pinson, Ala.
KJ Queen, Catawba, N.C.
Chad Randles, Elkhorn, Neb.
Dustin Reneau, Mckinney, Texas
Matthew Robertson, Kuttawa, Ky.
Garrett Rose, Pipecreek, Texas
Jake Rossi, Columbus, Ohio
Steve Sennikoff, Edgewood, Texas
Scott Siller, Milwaukee, Wis.
Bryant Smith, Roseville, Calif.
Chandler Stewart, Waco, Texas
Gerald Swindle, Guntersville, Ala.
Andrew Thomasson, Dublin, Va.
Andrew Upshaw, Tulsa, Okla.
Joel Willert, Prior Lake, Minn.
Tommy Williams, Shepherdsville, Ky.
Trait Zaldain, Fort Worth, Texas

by AnglersChannel

The "Juice" and the "Squeeze"

This week Chris and the boys welcome in longtime listener Matt Lazenby to the show to join in on the interviews with FLW Pro Brad Knight and MLF BPT Pro's Justin Lucas and Matt Lee. Getting to the bottom of the Super Tournaments and the field size and dissecting how each of them feel about the changes.

by AnglersChannel

Memorial Day weekend fishing tips from a pro

Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships

With more than $600,000 in prize winnings to his credit, Team Toyota angler Brandon Lester has proven himself to be one of America’s most accomplished young professional bass anglers. The Tennessean is also one heck of a family man, and was gracious enough to lend some advice to parents who soon might be taking their children fishing for the first time.

Fishing license and life vests

A lot of families overlook the fact adults who are handling a rod and reel are required to have a fishing license -- even if fishing is simply a brief part of your family camping trip or picnic.

“Don’t be intimidated by buying a license,” says Lester. “Most states offer a 1-day or 3-day license versus a full year to save new anglers money. And you can nearly always get a license over the phone with a fast Google search for the state fishing license sales center and phone number for wherever you plan to fish,” he explains.

In addition to making sure you have a valid fishing license for whatever day(s) you’ll be fishing – safety needs to be the absolute top priority. That said, Lester reminds us children are required to wear a properly fitted life jacket on a boat at all times, and common sense dictates it’s wise for them to wear one when fishing from a dock or pier too.

Bait and Tackle

While everybody dreams of catching a fish the length of your arm, for kids it’s all about getting bites – and no species provides more easy action than bluegills and other shoreline oriented panfish sized about like your hand. Most know a container of red worms or Canadian nightcrawlers are the fast route to success, but where many beginning anglers go wrong is on the size of hooks and bobbers they buy.

“Bluegills are a ton of fun for kids. But keep in mind they’re not big fish, and they don’t have big mouths. So don’t buy a bobber so big they can’t pull it under. And make sure your hook is tiny enough for bluegills and other panfish to get their mouth around too,” says Lester.

As a rule of thumb, a typical round bobber should not be any larger than a golf ball at the very biggest. Hooks should be sized about like a nickel. Ideally, find a pack of hooks such as Mustad’s classic baitholder in a size #6 marked on the package, and you’ll be right on target.

Keep it fun, and don’t stay too long

“You shouldn’t expect your kids to fish for eight hours, because the reality is they often lose interest after 20 minutes if the fish aren’t biting. So the key is to keep them entertained – and if that means throwing rocks in the water – a short walk down the shoreline – watching for turtles - or whatever – that’s fine – keep it fun!” emphasizes Lester.

“Don’t wear them out. Make fishing a short adventure for them. Take some snacks and drinks, and a wet rag to wipe your hands on. If you catch a few for a photo, and make some great memories, there’s a good chance they’ll want to go again. If that’s the case, you’ve succeeded as a parent, no matter what your level of fishing experience was previously,” concludes the top pro.

by AnglersChannel

McCaig and Hurst take the win at Weiss with a 6-pound lead over 2nd place

By Jason Duran

Photos Chris Brown

With anglers chomping at the bits to get back to fishing, the Alabama Bass Trail North Division was back in action this weekend. The previous two events have been re-scheduled for later this year, so anglers picked the season up with stop number 2 on Weiss Lake in Cherokee County, AL.

With 22.60 pounds of all largemouth, the team of Mark McCaig and Tim Hurst took a commanding win on Weiss Lake with 6-pound lead over the rest of the field along with $19,250 in winnings and bonuses.

Mark and Tim spent a day and a half practicing in separate boats where they both found their own areas they thought they could catch some fish. However, neither of them felt the areas they found were winning areas. They both had a decent bite in one similar area and decided the night before they would go to that area to get started and try to fish something new in that area.

At the first stop, they caught a three and a half and a five pounder that “clued them in to what they had been missing in practice.” Mark said, that clue was “I felt like a lot of fish were still spawning but had expected this to be a post spawn bite with most of the fish out deep.” Once we realized it wasn’t a deep bite this morning “we started running around fishing similar areas upriver all the way down to the dam.”

The team said they “targeted fish in the spawning areas”- not necessarily bed fishing but primarily fishing shallow areas where fish were spawning or headed to and from spawning. Mark said, “we realized that the farther we went back in pockets, the smaller the fish were, so we targeted shallow areas instead of the backs of pockets.” They caught their fish primarily on two baits; in the morning, they started with a Spro Poppin frog, and later in the day when it got tough, they used a Bass Pro Shops Green Pumpkin Senko.

The up and down temperature changes in the seasonal weather have broken up the spawn cycle on Weiss causing this lake to fish tough for a couple reasons. Mark said “there are fish in many different stages and there is a lot of shallow water in this lake, so when these fish get post-spawn, they can be 50 yards off the bank and still be in shallow water. You can go through an area and you might be around the better fish, but you can’t get them to bite because they are so spread out.” It is really hard to target and catch post spawn fish.

Mark said “winning a tournament with 225 boats is more about the decisions that you make during the day or the maybe decisions you make to start somewhere more so than fishing ability. This field is packed with great fishermen who all have the same fishing ability, and there are a lot of winners here.” Their key decision today was to “sit down before we made move, look at the map and say if the fish spawned here, this is where we are going and just try and catch them somewhere in between.”

Second place went to Stephen Mcavoy and Josh Butts with 16.14. They started their morning on a shad spawn point that was about two feet deep. Their second cast with a Booya Buzz Clacker in white caught a four pounder. On the third cast, they caught a three pounder. Within ten minutes they had a limit that was pushing 12 pounds. They described this point as a mid-pocket point with grass right next to a wooden seawall.

The shad spawn was over in about an hour, and from there they tried to fish docks, but it didn’t pan out. So, they went back to the grass and started catching fish and made a few culls using a Dirty Jigs White Sim Jig. They, like others, found them in the back of pockets, but they were the smaller fish. The team felt that the better fish were moving out of the pocket and heading to deeper water. So, they targeted them about mid-way out and caught better fish there.

Third place was separated by just two hundredths of an ounce with the team of Bryan Dowdy and Kyle Lewellen weighing in at 16.12 pounds. They caught them flipping a Strike King Rage Craw and swimming a Dirty Jigs 3/8 swim jig in white with a Strike King Menace trailer. They targeted shallow grass areas in the Yellow Creek area. They said they “didn’t catch a fish over two-feet deep. “First, we went to a couple bed fish spots we found in practice and caught one off the bed but couldn’t find the others.” They spent the rest of the day “junk fishing” their way into third place. They caught over 20 fish up until 11:00 when they got their last bite. They had a mixed bag of two spotted bass and three largemouth.

To review the top ten standings and a full list of results, visit https://www.alabamabasstrail.org/tournament-series/wel-results/

Download and listen to the ABT Podcast on your favorite Podcast app by searching for “Alabama Bass Trail Podcast.” The Podcast is released each week on Tuesday.

by AnglersChannel

209 Pros to Compete for $3.97 million in FLW “Super Tournaments”

56 MLF Pros Join the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Roster

BENTON, Ky. (May 18, 2020) – FLW, the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, released the expanded 2020 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit roster, which now includes top Major League Fishing (MLF) pros like Jacob Wheeler and reigning REDCREST Champion Edwin Evers. When the season restarts June 23 on Lake Chickamauga, the final three regular-season Pro Circuit events will feature 209 boats and nearly $4 million in prize money. As previously announced, FLW extended invitations to all MLF anglers to compete in three “Super Tournaments” after MLF announced an abbreviated schedule due to the mid-season pause in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

All current Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit anglers have retained their spots on the roster, but the field size has now been expanded to include 56 additional MLF pros who have committed to compete in all three “Super Tournament” events by the May 15 deadline. A total of 209 anglers will compete in the following three events: June 23-26 on Lake Chickamauga, July 29-Aug. 1 on the upper Mississippi River (La Crosse, Wis.) and Aug. 11-14 on the Detroit River. MLF pros will not compete in the Tackle Warehouse FLW TITLE, Aug. 24-29 on the St. Lawrence River.

The expanded 2020 FLW Pro Circuit roster is headlined by some of the best pros in the world, including former FLW champions like Bryan Thrift, Justin Atkins, John Cox, Brad Knight, Anthony Gagliardi, Wheeler, Brent Ehrler, David Dudley and Darrel Robertson. They’ll be joined by bass-fishing superstars like Jordan Lee, Skeet Reese and the man many deem the FLW G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time), Andy Morgan.

“I truly believe that the anglers competing in the Super Tournaments make up arguably the most prestigious field of bass fishing pros of all time,” said Daniel Fennel, FLW Senior Director of Tournament Operations. “Not only are these tournaments a great opportunity for the anglers – it also will make for some very exciting events for the fans watching online at home. We look forward to getting back out on the water next month at Lake Chickamauga.”

Fans are encouraged to watch the tournaments and daily weigh-ins online from their homes through expanded live on-the-water broadcasts rather than attend weigh-ins, in an effort to avoid crowds. FLW will livestream all four days of competition, instead of only the final two days as previously done, and the on-the-water camera crew will also be expanded to help capture more of the action. Fans can catch the live actions as it unfolds on FLWFishing.com, YouTube and Facebook.

With a field of 209 boats, the total purse in each tournament expands from $820,000 to $1,324,000, for an increase of $1,512,000 over three events. The first-place prize will increase from $100,000 to $125,000, and FLW will pay out $10,000 through 104th place and $5,000 to 105^th place. Contingency prizes will also remain in effect, meaning qualified FLW PHOENIX BONUS pros fish for a top award of $160,000 in each tournament.

PAYOUT

FLW + MLF Super Tournaments:

Place Pro FLW Phoenix Bonus

1 $125,000 $35,000

2 35,000

3 30,000

4 25,000

5 22,000

6 21,000

7 19,000

8 18,000

9 17,000

10 16,000

11-20 14,000

21-30 11,000

31-104 10,000

105 5,000

Berkley Big Bass – Day 1 & 2 500

FLW + MLF SUPER TOURNAMENTS ROSTER

FLW Pros:

Jason Abram - Piney Flats, Tenn.
Barron Adams - Mineral Bluff, Ga
Randy Allen - Gilliam, La.
T.R. Andreas - Kerrville, Texas
Travis Archer - Covington, Wash.
Scott Ashmore - Broken Arrow, Okla.
Evan Barnes - Hot Springs , Ark.
Clayton Batts - Butler, Ga.
Bradford Beavers - Summerville, S.C.
Matt Becker - Finleyville, Penn.
Bob Behrle - Hoover, Ala.
James Biggs - Euless, Texas
Daryl Biron - South Windsor, Conn.
Greg Bohannan - Bentonville, Ark.
Terry Bolton - Benton, Ky.
Bailey Boutries - Daphne, Ala.
Christopher Brasher - Longview, Texas
Aaron Britt - Yuba City, Calif.
Grae Buck - Harleysville, Penn.
Miles Burghoff - Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.
Dennis Cameron - Travelers Rest, S.C.
Jon Canada - Helena, Ala.
Ryan Chandler - Hebron, Ind.
Glenn Chappelear - Acworth, Ga.
Joey Cifuentes - Clinton, Ark.
Ramie Colson Jr. - Cadiz, Ky.
Kyle Cortiana - Coweta, Okla.
John Cox – DeBary, Fla.
Preston Craig - Philadelphia, Tenn.
Mitch Crane - Columbus, Miss.
Lance Crawford - Broken Bow, Okla.
Alex Davis - Albertville, Ala.
Darrell Davis - Dover, Fla.
Randy Despino - Colfax, La.
Tommy Dickerson - Orange, Texas
Jeff Dobson - Bartlesville, Okla.
Scott Dobson - Clarkston, Mich.
Bradley Dortch - Atmore, Ala.
Josh Douglas - Isle, Minn.
Kurt Dove - Del Rio, Texas
Tony Dumitras - Winston, Ga.
Dakota Ebare - Denham Springs, La.
Jon Englund - Farwell, Minn.
Charlie Evans - Berea, Ky.
Ron Farrow - Rock Hill, S.C.
Mark Fisher - Wauconda, Ill.
Cole Floyd - Leesburg, Ohio
Tim Frederick - Leesburg, Fla.
Hunter Freeman - Monroe, La.
Nick Gainey - Charleston, S.C.
David Gaston - Sylacauga, Ala.
Kyle Gelles - Pingree, Idaho
Sam George - Athens, Ala.
Darold Gleason - Many, La.
Matt Greenblatt - Port St Lucie, Fla.
Chad Grigsby - Maple Grove, Minn.
Kyle Hall - Granbury, Texas
Chip Harrington - Olathe, Kan.
Dylan Hays - El Dorado, Ark.
Billy Hines - Vacaville, Calif.
Jamie Horton - Centerville, Ala.
Miles Howe - San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
Roger Hughes - Bartlesville, Okla.
John Hunter - Simpsonville, Ky.
Bill Hutchison - Bessemer, Ala.
Eric Jackson - Walling, Tenn.
Rob Kilby - Hot Springs, Ark.
Brad Knight - Lancing, Tenn.
Jeremy Lawyer - Sarcoxie, Mo.
Nick Lebrun - Bossier City, La.
Richard Lowitzki - Hampshire, Ill.
Terry Luedtke - Burton, Texas
Erik Luzak - Fenelon Falls, Ontario
Kevin Martin - Crown City, Ohio
Lendell Martin Jr - Nacogdoches, Texas
Michael Matthee - Centurion, GP
Billy McCaghren - Mayflower, Ark.
Chris McCall - Palmer, Texas
Johnny McCombs - Morris, Ala.
Bill McDonald - Greenwood, Ind.
Brandon McMillan - Clewiston, Fla.
Jared McMillan - Belle Glade, Fla.
Kevin Meeks - Smyrna, Tenn.
Jason Meninger - Saint Augustine, Fla.
Colby Miller - Elmer, La.
Kerry Milner - Bono, Ark.
Kurt Mitchell - Milford, Del.
Tom Monsoor - La Crosse, Wis.
Jake Morris - Mc Kee, Ky.
Troy Morrow - Eastanollee, Ga.
Brandon Mosley - Choctaw, Okla.
Jim Moynagh - Shakopee, Minn.
Shawn Murphy - Nicholasville, Ky.
Robert Nakatomi - Sacramento, Calif.
Chris Neau - New Orleans, La.
Corey Neece - Bristol, Tenn.
Ron Nelson - Berrien Springs, Mich.
Dicky Newberry - Houston, Texas
Cody Nichols - Fayette, Ala.
James Niggemeyer - Van, Texas
Lane Olson - Tigard, Ore.
Jake Ormond - Sterlington, La.
Jordan Osborne - Longview, Texas
Dave Parsons - Yantis, Texas
Tyson Patrick - Midland, Texas
David Perdue - Wirtz, Va.
Pete Ponds - Madison, Miss.
Drew Ratley - Shreveport, La.
Tom Redington - Royse City, Texas
Matt Reed - Madisonville, Texas
Clark Reehm - Elm Grove, La.
Jimmy Reese - Witter Springs, Calif.
Jason Reyes - Huffman, Texas
Darrel Robertson - Jay, Okla.
Troy Roder - Brookeland, Texas
Zell Rowland - Montgomery, Texas
Rusty Salewske - Alpine, Calif
Ryan Salzman - Huntsville, Ala.
Casey Scanlon - Lake Ozark, Mo.
Braxton Setzer - Wetumpka, Ala.
Alvin Shaw - Roaring Gap, N.C.
Spencer Shuffield - Hot Springs, Ark.
Charles Sim - Nepean, Ontario
AJ Slegona - Pine Bush, N.Y.
Blake Smith - Lakeland, Fla.
Derrick Snavely - Piney Flats, Tenn.
Matthew Stefan - Junction City, Wis.
Tyler Stewart - West Monroe, La.
Chuck Stratton - Chaffee, Mo.
Wade Strelic - Alpine, Calif.
Laramy Strickland - Bushnell, Fla.
Mike Surman - Boca Raton, Fla.
Rusty Trancygier - Hahira, Ga.
J Todd Tucker - Moultrie, Ga.
Jim Tutt - Longview, Texas
Jason Vance - Battle Ground, Ind.
John Voyles - Petersburg, Ind.
Jacob Wall - New Hope, Ala.
Chad Warren - Sand Springs, Okla.
Jimmy Washam - Covington, Tenn.
Joshua Weaver - Macon, Ga.
Joseph Webster - Winfield, Ala.
Kyle Weisenburger - Columbus Grove, Ohio
Chris Whitson - Louisville, Tenn.
Scott Wiley - Bay Minette, Ala.
Alton Wilhoit - Noble, Okla.
David G Williams - Maiden, N.C.
Barry Wilson - Birmingham, Ala.
Chance Woodard - Paris, Texas
Tyler Woolcott - Port Orange, Fla.
David Wootton - Collierville, Tenn.
Gary Yamamoto - Palestine, Texas
Andy Young - Isle, Minn.

MLF Pros:

Casey Ashley - Donalds, S.C.
Justin Atkins - Florence, Ala.
Adrian Avena - Vineland, N.J.
Josh Bertrand - San Tan Valley, Ariz.
Zack Birge - Blanchard, Okla.
Stephen Browning - Hot Springs National Par, Ark.
Dustin Connell - Clanton, Ala.
Brandon Coulter - Knoxville, Tenn.
Mark Daniels Jr - Tuskegee, Ala.
Mark Davis - Mount Ida, Ark.
Boyd Duckett - Guntersville, Ala.
David Dudley - Lynchburg, Va.
Brent Ehrler - Redlands, Calif.
James Elam - Cleveland, Okla.
Paul Elias - Laurel, Miss.
Edwin Evers - Talala, Okla.
Todd Faircloth - Jasper, Texas.
Anthony Gagliardi - Prosperity, S.C.
Shaw Grigsby - Gainesville, Fla.
Roy Hawk - Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Brett Hite - Phoenix, Ariz.
Timmy Horton - Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Randy Howell - Guntersville, Ala.
Alton Jones - Lorena, Texas
Alton Jones Jr - Lorena, Texas
Kelly Jordon - Flint, Texas
Gary Klein - Mingus, Texas
Jeff Kriet - Ardmore, Okla.
Jason Lambert - Michie, Tenn.
Bobby Lane - Lakeland, Fla.
Russell Lane - Prattville, Ala.
Jordan Lee - Cullman, Ala.
Matt Lee - Bremen, Ala.
Dave Lefebre - Erie, Penn.
Justin Lucas - Guntersville, Ala.
Mike McClelland - Blue Eye, Mo.
Cody Meyer - Auburn, Calif.
Andy Morgan - Dayton, Tenn.
John Murray - Spring City, Tenn.
Britt Myers - Lake Wylie, S.C.
Michael Neal - Dayton, Tenn.
Cliff Pace - Petal, Miss.
Keith Poche - Troy, Ala.
Skeet Reese - Auburn, Calif.
Dean Rojas - Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Fred Roumbanis - London, Ark.
Bradley Roy - Lancaster, Ky.
Terry Scroggins - San Mateo, Fla.
Gerald Sphorer - Gonzales, La.
Wesley Strader - Spring City, Tenn.
Bryan Thrift - Shelby, N.C.
Jonathon VanDam - Kalamazoo, Mich.
David Walker - Sevierville, Tenn.
James Watson - Lampe, Mo.
Jacob Wheeler - Harrison, Tenn.
Jesse Wiggins - Logan, Ala.

“My profession is to fish tournaments, and I love to compete,” said reigning MLF REDCREST Champion Evers. “I’m missing fishing really, really bad with this season break, and I am so excited to compete in the new Pro Circuit Super Tournaments. It’s three phenomenal fisheries. It’s going to be a lot of fun reconnecting with some old friends.”

MLF pros who choose to compete in the final three Pro Circuit “Super Tournaments” will fish for prize money only. No points will be awarded toward any championship or title to MLF competitors. Only the original Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit anglers will compete for the Angler of the Year (AOY) title throughout the remainder of the season. AOY points in the final events will be awarded based on Pro Circuit anglers finishing order. The top-finishing FLW pro will receive “first-place points” regardless of where he finishes in the overall standings, and so on.

“What matters to me is fishing against the best caliber of anglers that I can,” said FLW pro Josh Douglas. “Some of these guys, I’ve fished against them many times. Others, I probably won’t have. So, I’m excited to see that caliber of fishing, and I think it’s a way of turning lemons into lemonade with our seasons cut short. I look at it as opportunity. That’s what I live for. My dreams are to beat the best, and the more money that’s in the pot and the better the anglers are, that’s great.”

Beginning on July 3 and running through Dec. 27, FLW will air 312 hours of Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit action on the Outdoor Channel and the Sportsman Channel. New this season, episodes have been expanded to two hours long. Each show goes in depth to break down the final rounds of regular-season competition, with six unique episodes covering each day of the Tackle Warehouse FLW TITLE presented by Toyota. Each episode will premier in Friday night prime-time episodes on the Outdoor Channel, with additional re-airings on Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel.

In Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit competition, FLW anglers are vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the Tackle Warehouse FLW TITLE presented by Toyota, the FLW Pro Circuit Championship. The 2020 Tackle Warehouse FLW TITLE presented by Toyota will be held on the St. Lawrence River in Massena, New York, Aug. 24-29.

For complete details and updated information on the FLW Pro Circuit, visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the FLW Pro Circuit on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

VanDam: Let’s take the Land Cruiser

Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships

Kevin VanDam is not only the most accomplished professional bass angler in history, he’s also intensely adamant that his Toyota Tundra is the safest, most powerful truck he’s ever towed a boat with. In fact, he swears its oversized brakes helped save his life when chaos occurred in front of him while towing through a Chattanooga, TN construction zone a few years ago.

But when he’s not pulling his 21-foot Nitro all over America, and it’s time to chill out with family and grab a pizza from Fricano’s in his beloved hometown of Kalamazoo, “KVD” usually convinces his neighbor and uncle by marriage, Henry Kalkman to take the Land Cruiser.

Not just any Land Cruiser – an iconic 1975 FJ40 with less than 30,000 miles on it that Kalkman’s wife swears gets more looks amid a short hop around town than if they were driving a high-end muscle car.

VanDam certainly agrees with her. “I just think it’s super cool. I know its history, and there’s a nostalgia that surrounds it. Heck, I couldn’t wait to drive it last night to go pick up pizza,” he grins.

Born during WW II, Land Cruisers are actually Toyota’s longest running series of vehicles. By the 1950s both American and Japanese soldiers drove Land Cruisers in the Korean War. And since mass production of the iconic vehicle began, more than 5,000,000 have been manufactured and driven around the world. There’s even a Land Cruiser museum in Salt Lake City.

“My FJ40 is just a raw powerful vehicle that’s much the opposite of the creature comforts and technology in Kevin’s Tundra, but I think the rawness is also what he gets a kick out of,” says Kalkman, who owns a successful injection mold making facility that provides molds for the auto and medical industry, and escapes to Key West for an annual fishing trip with legendary guide “RT” Trosset.

Since taking ownership of the FJ40 two years ago, Kalkman has done little to alter its appearance of 45 years ago. In fact, he even added to its rugged authentic looks by adding an original bumper and steel wheel rims.

“I’ve seen old Land Cruisers just like it on TV in African safaris. And honestly, the fact it’s a 4-speed manual stick shift reminds me of the very first truck I drove as a teenager, so it’s definitely kind of nostalgic,” reflects VanDam.

He’s right, because of their reliability, Land Cruisers are hugely popular around the world including the vastly remote Outback of Australia, Africa, and wherever global adventure takes place – including trips to an Italian eatery in Kalamazoo, to pick-up pizza for the people pro bass fishing’s most decorated angler loves most.

by AnglersChannel

Duckett Adds Insights About new FLW Super Tournaments

There’s always a silver lining.

As COVID-19 has forced a shutdown and restructuring of many
American industries, bass tournament organizations have followed suit.
FLW recently announced that it shortened the remaining regular
season schedule from four tournaments to three along with changes in
locations and dates.

Likewise, Major League Fishing has suffered schedule interruptions and
a shortened season. In an effort to give all pros under the MLFFLW
umbrella a chance to fish more, gain more exposure and make more
money, FLW has extended invites for Major League Fishing pros to
participate in the three remaining FLW events – billed as ‘Super
Tournaments’.

Only FLW Pro Circuit anglers will gain points toward their Angler of the
Year title and the championship but MLF anglers have a shot at the
money and will gain exposure for their sponsors.
While touring pros are forced to start all over with travel planning, etc.,
there are some serious perks. Prize purses have been increased.
Benefits are brewing for anglers and fans alike when competition
resumes June 23 rd on Lake Chickamauga.

As fans, we get to see FOUR days of live internet coverage on
FLWFishing.com now instead of the two days we were getting earlier
this year.

MLF owner/angler Boyd Duckett sees the positives, says he may jump
in and fish too.

“Being able to pick up these additional Super Tournaments, especially
with the additional money FLW’s putting into it, the first-place payout
went up some but that’s not the big deal. The big difference is through

the field - $10,000 to 100 th place, where it used to be $5,000, so if you
make the top 100 you get ten-grand. That’s solid.”

FLW has said that, based on a 200-angler field, first place will pay
$125,000 and contingency awards may swell the top prize to $160,000.
“We had a comparison that showed the previous FLW Pro Circuit
payout, next to this, and every single place is up substantially. It’s about
half-a-million more, per event, added to the payout. Half-a-million per
event. That’s a lot.”

While an infusion of money will be welcome, the addition of well-
known anglers will benefit everyone, especially young FLW pros who
will glow under the halo effect of competing against the sport’s top
names on television and other media platforms.

Duckett has high praise for the entire tournament industry. About
Bassmaster he said, “Phenomenal organization, great brand. I’m proud
of my years at B.A.S.S.,” as well he should be, having won the
Bassmaster Classic in Alabama to become the first angler to win a
Classic in his home state. He is also excited about the strength of
competition FLW will now offer viewers this summer. “Man, you put 30
or 40 of our guys in over there, it’ll be the biggest 5-fish-limit tour there
is.”

It’s uncertain as to how many MLF pros will fish FLW this year. One
high-profile angler told AnglersChannel.com that he will not participate
but knows several friends who are very excited about doing so. Duckett
is thinking of what could be, “Hey, I tell you, there’s a bunch of the guys
(MLF pros) who want to fish (FLW Pro Circuit) next year, just want to
fish two circuits like we did in the old days when we fished B.A.S.S. and
FLW – that’s how we did it in the old days.”

But even Duckett isn’t sure if the field will total 200 competitors this
summer. “I don’t know. It’s a great option that FLW has created for the
guys that can do it. I think most of the guys want to do it. A bunch of us
haven’t fished FLW or any 5-fish-limit tour in a while so it’s kind of
exciting to go back and fish it.”

Duckett is Co-Founder of MLF and, by extension, an owner of FLW after
the acquisition last year and, while he had an idea this might be
happening, he got the email with final details just a few days before the
deadline to commit, as did all the MLF anglers.

“This was not an MLF action. This was an FLW action. The FLW team
getting together and making it to where it was offered to Major League
Fishing guys, I thought, was cool as hell.”

So, what would motivate an MLF pro to jump in for a three-event run
on the FLW Pro Circuit? “Number one, you have the time,” noted
Duckett, “because this COVID year your season was shortened. Pro
anglers need to fish. That’s what they do for their sponsors and they
need to stay relevant every opportunity they get.

“Not only that, but I can tell you, for all the years I’ve fished, this is the
three highest-paid standard events I’ve ever fished.”

The Super Tournament Schedule:
June 23-26 – Lake Chickamauga in Dayton, Tenn.
July 29-Aug. 1 – Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wis.
Aug. 11-14 – Detroit River in Trenton, Mich.

by AnglersChannel

B.A.S.S. Announces 2020 Dates For Additional Tournament Series

May 15, 2020

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After announcing schedules for the Elite Series and Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series last week, today B.A.S.S. unveiled revised event dates for the remaining events on their 2020 tournament schedule.

Sixteen Bassmaster Tournament Series events originally scheduled between March and May had to be rescheduled, but officials highlighted that the new schedules allow for the full tournament circuit to be completed this year.

“We are excited to get back to the fun of tournament fishing in a safe and responsible way,” said Jon Stewart, B.A.S.S. Nation Tournament Director. “We appreciate our local hosts and staff, who worked diligently to find new dates so that every angler who has looked forward to this season can compete.”

B.A.S.S. has emphasized that it will heed each state’s mandates on crowd sizes and public spaces as well as monitor federal guidelines to ensure both competition and fan activities can resume safely. These sentiments were echoed by officials in the tournament host communities.

“We are confident in our ability to host a safe event in August. Everyone involved is committed to being prudent in our planning, making the changes that are necessary to adhere to the safety guidelines in place at that time,” said Mark Jeanneret, Executive Director of the Erie Sports Commission, local host for the B.A.S.S. Nation Northeast Regional Championship.

As schools around the country resume in late-summer, competition will also resume for college, high school and junior anglers.

“While it is disappointing for anglers and families anytime we have to postpone high school and college tournaments, I am thrilled that we were able to get events rescheduled so that the majority of teams who registered for these tournaments can compete,” said College and High School Series Senior Manager Hank Weldon.

TNT Fireworks Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Series

Aug. 19-21, Northeast Regional, Lake Erie, Erie, Pa.
Aug. 26-28, North Regional, Lake Vermilion, Tower, Minn.
Sept. 30 – Oct. 2, Lake Mead, Henderson, Nev.
Oct. 14-16, Central Regional, Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many, La.
Nov. 11-13, B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, Lake Pickwick, Florence, Ala.

Bassmaster Team Championship

Dec. 9-12, Harris Chain of Lakes, Leesburg, Fla.

Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia

Aug. 15, Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wis.
Aug. 29, Clear Lake, Lakeport, Calif.
Nov. 21, Chickamauga Lake, Dayton, Tenn.

Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops

Aug. 27-29, Lake Hartwell, Anderson, S.C.
Oct. 1-3, Lake Cumberland, Jamestown, Ky.
Oct. 29-31, College National Championship, TBA
Nov. 17-19, College Bracket Challenge, Lay Lake, Columbiana, Ala.

Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors

Aug. 8, Lake St. Clair, Detroit, Mich.
Oct. 4, Lake Cumberland, Jamestown, Ky.
Oct. 22-24, High School National Championship, TBA

Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster Junior Series

Aug. 8, Lake St. Clair, Detroit, Mich.
Oct. 4, Lake Cumberland, Jamestown, Ky.
Oct. 19-20, Junior National Championship, TBA

by AnglersChannel

Water Safety Month – Set an Example

May is Water Safety Month, but realistically safety should be paramount everyday you launch a boat. Water Safety Month serves as a great opportunity to brush up on safety procedures as well as take an honest assessment of your personal approach to staying safe on the water.

Bassmaster^® Opens angler Hunter Bland knows all too well the importance of safety. He and his college fishing partner were thrown from his boat due to a part in the hydraulic steering system coming loose in an FLW^® College Fishing tournament on Lake Seminole in 2017.

Miraculously, Bland and his teammate Connor Young escaped serious injury, but the event changed Bland’s perspective and he’s currently a spokesperson for boating safety. Bland works with many of the top companies in the industry, including the Skeeter Boats and Yamaha Marine, to advocate for safety on the water.

“We all love to fish, but I’m confident we all could agree that making it back to the dock safely is the most important thing,” Bland said.

Wear your PFD and engine cutoff device

While visions of big bass, tranquil scenery and euphoric sunsets likely come to mind when you think of your next day at the lake, it’s important to remember to keep safety first.

“An accident like I experienced changes your mindset instantaneously,” Bland said. “Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but so many accidents are avoidable if you follow simple safety protocols. The first step comes with strapping into a personal floatation device.”

Before you hook a boat trailer to your tow vehicle, you should ensure the vessel has every item listed in the U.S. Coast Guard Safety Checklist and complies with all state and federal laws or guidelines. The next and most important thing you should do is to always wear a PFD or lifejacket.

As Bland is happy to tell you, a PFD will absolutely save your life. Furthermore, sliding your PFD on as soon as you begin backing your boat down the ramp forces your brain to reckon with safety. Buckling your lifejacket reminds you to attach your engine cutoff device commonly referred to as a “kill switch,” and should prompt a boater to mentally run through safety precautions.

“Before your outboard is ever engaged you need to have your lifejacket on and your engine cutoff device operative,” Bland explained. “I owe my life to those two simple safety steps. There’s no gray area; whether you are idling slowly or running on plane to your next spot, you need to wear both of those devices.”

Set an example

Bland’s travels and experiences as a spokesperson for boating safety have illustrated the importance of leading by example. Bland has seen his efforts make a difference.

“Whether you’re a professional angler or an avid weekend fisherman, there’s a good chance you have people who look up to you,” Bland explained. “They may know you personally or they might just be impressed with your efficiency of launching or loading your boat. Whatever the case, your actions can influence someone.

“By wearing your PFD, attaching your kill switch, and practicing safe, responsible boating, you’re teaching proper habits, and you may be unknowingly saving a life.”

Hunter Bland came into the outdoor industry through college fishing, and has seen the rapid growth of both high school and college fishing in just a handful of years. Right now, there are more young people interested in competitive fishing than ever before. With this explosion of popularity at the youth levels of fishing, ensuring safety remains “cool” has never been more important.

No matter what you grew up believing, it’s always cool to be safe. “Risk-takers” or “rule-benders” need to be left at the dock when it comes to boating and fishing. The margins for error and risks associated are too severe on the water. It’s simply not worth it.

So keep it cool by staying safe on the water this summer, and set an example in the process. A day on the water is good for the soul, but arriving home safely to your loved ones is even better.

by AnglersChannel

Wolfson Tournament Boat Drawing THIS Saturday!

It’s mid-May and the AnglersChannel.com crew would be heading to Palatka, Florida to cover the huge Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament for the web site as well as our TV Show and webcast but the fund-raising tournament is another casualty of efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.

But Saturday, May 16^th will be a memorable day for one lucky individual.

While the Wolfson tourney has been canceled, there will still be a drawing for a brand-new Bullet Bass Boat! Check out the details from the Wolfson tourney web site:

Although the 2020 tournament has been cancelled, the chance drawing for the 2020 Bullet bass boat with a Mercury XR engine will still take place on May 16, 2020 via Facebook live and be promoted along with all of our sponsors.

The boat is a 21 foot bass boat in the classic bullet styling. It has a large front platform, ample storage, and great rough water handling. It is painted in a beautiful orange and black finish. The Mercury Pro X 250 engine is a V8, 250 hp/186kw engine with dual overhead cam and 32-valves. The boat also comes with a Boatmate trailer for hauling.

Special thank you to Bullet Boats and Mercury Marine.

No purchase, donation, or contribution necessary to win. A purchase, payment, or donation will not increase chances of winning. Suggested donation for tickets is $10 (ten and no/100 dollars) each. Winner need not be present to win.

To register for your chance to win, visit the following web site and scroll about 2/3 of the way down toward the bottom to find the blue REGISTER NOW button.

https://giving.baptistjax.com/event/31st-annual-wolfson-childrens-hospital-bass-tournament/e268890

We’re already looking forward to a great event in 2021!

by AnglersChannel

Bassin' is Back!!! Well, Kinda......

This week CB and the boys welcome in current FLW Pro Circuit points leader Ron Nelson to the show to talk about the revamped schedule and the allowance of MLF Anglers to join the field. Chris tries hard to keep his mouth shut..... Chris also throws the boys a curveball when his good friend Michele Eichstead with Blond Girl Promotions joins the show in the opening segment. Check it out!

by AnglersChannel

Stefan Calls Yamaha Power Pay a Precious Commodity

Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships

Kennesaw, Ga. – May 12, 2020 - Prior to turning full time FLW^® pro five years ago, Matt Stefan made a living assuring commodities such as soybeans and gold were being traded in a fair and ethical manner. It’s no surprise the Wis. pro was quick to recognize the financial opportunities within the Yamaha Power Pay contingency program for tournament anglers, which has already paid anglers roughly $20,000 since its launch.

“I can’t remember if I first heard about Power Pay on social media or on an angling site, but as a longtime Yamaha owner, I could tell as soon as I learned more, it is an awesome program,” said Stefan. “The best part is it’s free to sign-up, and you don’t even have to win your event to get the Power Pay money.”

Stefan has already collected $1,500 in Yamaha Power Pay money in 2020 on the FLW^® Tackle Warehouse^® Pro Circuit, finishing fifth at the Harris Chain of Lakes and twentieth at Lake Martin. Although, he admits his dream day of bass fishing would take place near his home at Sturgeon Bay, Wis., where 30-pound limits of smallmouth are achievable in May and June.

“I’ll be honest, I’ve had offers from other outboard manufacturers for sponsorship deals, but I continue to buy my Yamaha outboards through my local dealer,” continued Stefan, whose total career earnings as a Yamaha angler come close to $500,000. “Yamaha is all I’ve ever run. I just have so much trust and confidence in my Yamaha V MAX SHO^® that I’ve never wanted to risk running anything else.”

When asked what he loves most about his V MAX SHO, Stefan rattled off pretty much every important feature anglers and boaters seek from their outboard.

“It’s a four-stroke engine that performs like a two-stroke, with tremendous reliability, great hole-shot, awesome top-end speed and no dealing with oil. It’s truly an incredible engine, and all the guys I know who run one are fired-up about registering for the Power Pay program,” said the Wisconsin pro.

For more information, complete terms and conditions or to register for Yamaha Power Pay like Matt Stefan, visit yamahapowerpay.com or email Chip with questions at Chip@DynamicSponsorships.com.

Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Engine Systems, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,000 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA^®’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.

REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear.

This document contains many of Yamaha's valuable trademarks. It may also contain trademarks belonging to other companies. Any references to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only, and are not intended to be an endorsement.

by AnglersChannel

FLW Announces Updated Dates and Locations for Free High School Fishing Minicamps

What:
FLW, the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today updated dates and locations for the three FREE High School Fishing minicamps, held in conjunction with three 2020 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit events.

Traditionally a three-day summer camp held at Murray State University, FLW shifted the format to three single-day minicamps last month in response to the coronavirus pandemic and to allow more anglers, coaches and boat captains the opportunity to attend.

When/Where:

June 25 Lake Chickamauga

Dayton Boat Dock – Point Park, 185 Chickamauga Drive, Dayton, Tenn.

July 31 Mississippi River (La Crosse)

Veterans Freedom Park, 1 Clinton St., La Crosse, Wis.

Aug. 25 St. Lawrence River

Massena Intake Boat Launch, 1415 State Hwy. 131, Massena, N.Y.

Notes:
Each camp will be held in conjunction with a Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit event and will provide valuable instruction from top pros and industry executives for students, coaches and boat captains.

Participants will check in on site and receive a free camp t-shirt, free product from participating sponsors and a free lakeside cookout. Campers will have time to practice their newfound skills with some fishing from the bank and will be invited to help mentor grade-school children during an FLW Foundation Unified Fishing Derby held at the same location. Each of the first two camps will conclude at the start of the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit weigh-in with participating campers recognized on the popular FLW LIVE webcast. The third camp will be held at the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit TITLE championship with camp integrated into opening-day festivities. FLW is hosting these exciting new camps to help encourage high school anglers throughout the country to pursue their passion for fishing.

Registration for the minicamps is now open. To sign up for each camp, or for more information – including camp schedules – visit FLWFishing.com/camp.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

Nic Brown Takes the win on Seminole

Nic Brown from Chattahoochee, Fl. is one step closer to the Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour National Championship with a first place win in the Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour Seminole Division 114 2 day bass tournament held on Lake Seminole May 2&3, 2020. Nic’s 2 day limit weighed in at 39.74 pounds. Big Bass was awarded to Sean Bierman for catching a 7.39 lb large mouth.

These anglers are acquiring valuable points to insure their birth in to the Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour National Championship. Their points are also being used to determine the divisional angler of the year. The top angler by points earned in this division will represent the division in the Angler of the Year final round.

The top six anglers were:
1. Nic Brown 39.74 lbs.
2. Len Lindahl 28.34 lbs.
3. Lindsey Page 25.88 lbs.
4. David Howell 24.90 lbs.
5. Sean Bierman 23.27 lbs.
6. Steve Phillips 15.88 lbs.

Conditions: The day was very pleasant at the weight in! The lake water was stained to muddy.

Winning Strategy: Nic's pattern was bed fishing and Crank Baits!

Next Divisional Tournament: This division’s next tournament will be November, 2020 on Lake Seminole at Seminole Lodge. For more information on this or any future event in this division contact Mitch Oldnettle 850-376-2628 or Len Lindahl 850-272-5305.

These anglers earn valuable points toward the divisional Angler of the Year (AOY) title. The points champion from each division will compete in the annual American Bass Anglers (ABA) Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour (BPSFT) Angler of The Year (AOY) Final Round at the BPSFT National Championship. In addition, the top 500 anglers from the various divisions will earn the right to compete in the three-day ABA, BPSFT National Championship tournament.

The Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler.

All anglers fish for both money and points. The points advance the angler to their divisional championship and the top 500 anglers in the U.S. are invited to the Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour (BPSFT) National Championship.

by AnglersChannel

Brannon Hurst and Mike Freeman winning Alabama Bass Trail on Logan Martin Lake

By Jason Duran

The Alabama Bass Trail is back and Covid-19 has made for a very interesting time in our country. Stay at home orders, quarantines and social distancing are now all common practice in every home. The lack of social interaction has really take its toll on a lot of people. The Alabama Bass Trail worked closely with the state of Alabama make things as safe as possible in this new way of life. The ABT team worked hard to adjust everything including no pretournament meetings, using face coverings and limited contact during boat check, trailered weigh- in to allow for social distancing for anglers and staff, and no crowds at weigh-ins. This allowed for the Alabama Bass Trail to be back in action and still able to keep everyone as safe as possible. At the close of scales on Saturday from Lake Logan Martin Brannon Hurst and Mike Freeman take home the win with 17.64.

The team of Hurst and Freeman made about a five minute run to fish boat docks in 1 – 10 feet of water. They were pitching a home-made white Jig on boat docks. They found this pattern late in the day in a tournament last weekend and this week they were able to build on it. Like many other anglers they were expecting a shad spawn to be a factor in this event. Though they weren’t really targeting the shad spawn, they did catch a fish off one dock that was probably a shad spawn fish.

The keys for them was “trying to flip as many boat dock piers as they can in a day and skipping the jig as far back into the shade of the dock as they could where the bass were.” They also said “you have to have a lot of places now because there are so many people fishing” They areas they target were from Stemley bridge to the dam.

It is important for them to “fish well together as a team for example; they both don’t fish the jig the same way, one might fish it deep and slower while the other will fish a little faster and higher up in the water column” The team has been fishing together for over 25 years and for the past four years they have fished the ABT south division.

The Dock and Jig pattern produced a mixed bag of spots and largemouth weighing in at 17.64. Fishing docks from 1 foot to 10 feet. They both have fished Logan Martin their whole life and to win here was “unbelievable and incredible” Mike said it is hard to win against this level of competition and it really feels awesome. .

Their homemade jig set up was paired with Lew’s Reel, Fitzgerald Rod and 20 lb Seaguar fluorocarbon line.

The first-year team of Rickey Dunn and Trent Davis came in second place. Rickey is Trent’s father in-law and they have been fishing together for about 10 years. This year they decided to fish the ABT and at the second stop they had a really good day. They made a run up to Choccolocco Creek throwing topwater and spinnerbaits and targeting seawall and shallow points in the sun. Like many other anglers said the first thirty minutes of their day was really productive. Their second spot was up around Broken Arrow Creek and from there they ran small cuts that seemed to produce fish at every stop. Later in the day they worked their way back down river to their final stop on a boat dock where Rickey had caught one in practice the previous week. On this dock they both caught a keeper. Trent caught one over four pounds with one that Rickey believed he probably caught in practice and released. That four pounder helped them move up enough to make in to second place with 15.84.

The third place team of Todd Murphy and Kopeland Rosser caught a limit within five cast. They made a run up river towards the I20 bridge to a spot that Kopeland found in practice. It was really a flurry for about thrity minutes with about 15-20 fish catches and sometimes they were doubled up. Todd describes this spot as a flat and “can’t really explain why these spotted bass were stacked up there.” That flurry of fish catches only lasted about 30 minutes. They left that spot with a limit of spotted bass and had two fish over three pounds. From there they went to another spot and caught two large mouth in back-to-back cast. When the wind picked up later in the morning they said it helped their fish set up on the cover better.

The baits that were productive were a Spook in bone color, black and blue swim Jig, swimbait and a drop shot. They said they just stuck to the basics and just went fishing.

Over all anglers were really excited to see the ABT family back out on the water. Next week the North Division gets back in action on Weiss Lake.

The top ten standings are below for a full list of results visit.

https://www.alabamabasstrail.org/tournament-series/lml-results/

Download and listen to the ABT Podcast on your favorite Podcast app by searching for “Alabama Bass Trail Podcast.” The Podcast is released each week on Tuesday.

The sponsors of the 2020 Alabama Bass Trail include; Phoenix Bass Boats, Bill Penney Toyota, Garmin, Academy Sports & Outdoors, America’s First Federal Credit Union, Sweet Home Alabama, Alabama Tourism Department, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, T-H Marine Supplies, Wedowee Marine, Strike King, Buffalo Rock, Mountain Dew, Jack’s, Fish Neely Henry Lake.com, Alabama Power Company, Lew’s Fishing, Berkley, YETI, Power Pole, Big Bite Bait Company, E3 Apparel and Hydrowave.

For information about Alabama Bass Trail and for complete tournament standings visit www.alabamabasstrail.org.

by AnglersChannel

Major League Fishing Returns June 7 to Kissimmee Chain: 2020 Bass Pro Tour Schedule Cut Short in Wake of COVID-19

May 8, 2020 (Tulsa, Okla.) Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today the return of the 2020 Bass Pro Tour on June 7-12 with Heavy Hitters featuring a $745,000 purse and the full field of 80 Pros. The 2020 Tour will conclude July 10-15 on Lake Champlain after five Stages. For the safety of all involved, fan events and gatherings are cancelled for the remainder of the season. This revised schedule permits MLF to deliver an additional 100+ hours of live-action sports as well as meet television production deadlines to fulfill sponsorship agreements despite the unprecedented season. On March 23^rd following three successful Stages, MLF paused the Bass Pro Tour in an abundance of caution due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“After working with state, local, and Public Health officials, we feel we can return to the water for two final tournaments in 2020,” said Boyd Duckett, MLF Co-Founder and pro angler. “Fishing is an inherently socially distant sport and while we will miss seeing our fans face-to-face, the Bass Pro Tour can deliver the drama of live-action sports to fans, while participating responsibly in a phased approach to help restart the economy.”

Heavy Hitters presented by Venmo will take place on Lake Tohopekaliga (Toho) and the Kissimmee Chain two weeks later than originally planned, June 7-12. No longer a mid-season qualifier, the event will feature all 80 MLF Pros in a traditional six-day, Bass Pro Tour format while still featuring an untraditional $745,000 purse and full-field payout. Heavy Hitters will serve as Stage Four toward the season-long Bass Pro Tour Points Championship, awarded to the angler with the most points at the conclusion of the season.

“As an angler-driven league, we worked with the Pros to identify a schedule that preserves as many opportunities as possible for our guys to compete and receive a paycheck during this unprecedented time,” said Jim Wilburn, MLF President and CEO. “Our media-centric format and exceptional production team enables us to create significant exposure for our field with over 550 hours of original programming via livestream, Discovery Channel, CBS, CBS Sports, and Sportsman Channel.”

As the economy begins to reopen in Florida, Experience Kissimmee looks forward to welcoming Major League Fishing to their community.

"We are thrilled to welcome back Major League Fishing to Kissimmee for another successful event," said Kissimmee Sports Executive Director John Poole. "While the destination is following the Florida governor's plan to reopen in phases, we are grateful to have the opportunity to provide both live and recorded television content for viewers across the country to continue experiencing Kissimmee from home."

The 2020 Bass Pro Tour will conclude with the Evinrude Stage Five presented by Covercraft July 10–15 on Lake Champlain hosted by Experience Vermont. The abbreviated five-stage Bass Pro Tour encompasses the race to qualify for the 2021 REDCREST Championship and win the overall 2020 points race. After the General Tire Stage Three presented by TrueTimber on Lake Fork, Ott DeFoe leads the field with 227 points, while reigning Champion Edwin Evers sits near the Elimination Line at 29^thplace with 146 points.

“I’m glad that we’re able to return to fishing at this point,” said DeFoe. “Five stages are better than three and the fisheries that we have ahead of us are outstanding fisheries that will make for great contests. Despite being only five stages, this is a very diverse schedule and we will take what we can get in what has turned into an unprecedented season.”

“I’m excited to get back to fishing,” said Evers. “It’s in our blood and for me to have the National Anthem go off and get back in the boat and compete against the best guys in this race for a REDCREST qualifier will be fantastic. Over these last few weeks, this competition has been missing in my life!”

With the remainder of the 2020 season cut short due to the worldwide pandemic, MLF continues to work with 2020 host Bass Pro Tour hosts - Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, the Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the City of Ogdensburg - for future events. As announced last month, Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees will serve as the competition waters for REDCREST 2021 hosted by Tulsa Sports Commission, February 23-27, 2021 with the inaugural REDCREST Outdoor Expo February 26-28, 2021.

by AnglersChannel

FLW Revamps 2020 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Schedule: Extends Invitation to Major League Fishing Pro Anglers

BENTON, Ky. (May 8, 2020) – FLW, the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today a revised 2020 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit schedule, which will return June 23-26 on Lake Chickamauga. The regular season will conclude on the Detroit River, Aug. 11-14. The Tackle Warehouse TITLE, the FLW Pro Circuit Championship will remain on the St. Lawrence River, but will now take place Aug. 24-29. The 2020 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit regular-season schedule has been shortened from seven events to six. After completing three events in the original 2020 schedule, FLW suspended the Pro Circuit on March 22 in an abundance of caution surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

2020 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Updated Schedule:

June 23-26 Lake Chickamauga Dayton, Tenn.

Hosted by Fish Dayton and the Rhea Economic & Tourism Council

July 29- Aug. 1 Mississippi River La Crosse, Wis.

Hosted by the La Crosse County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Aug. 11-14 Detroit River Trenton, Mich.

Hosted by the Detroit Sports Commission

2020 Tackle Warehouse TITLE, the FLW Pro Circuit Championship:

Aug. 24-29 St. Lawrence River Massena, N.Y.

Hosted by the Town of Massena

By its nature, the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit allows for social distancing as anglers compete in individual boats on thousands of acres of water. Fans are encouraged to watch the tournaments and daily weigh-ins online from their homes through expanded live on-the-water broadcasts rather than attend weigh-ins, in an effort to avoid crowds. FLW will livestream all four days, instead of only the final two days as previously done, and the on-the-water camera crew will also be expanded to help capture more of the action. The events will proceed with marshals unless COVID-19 mitigation guidance in the host community at the time of each event dictates otherwise.

“It’s an understatement to say that these are historic times in professional bass fishing, but that’s exactly what we’re dealing with – a situation our industry has never faced before,” said FLW Executive Vice President and General Manager Kathy Fennel. “We had no choice but to shift some of our previous host commitments to finish out the 2020 season, but we are confident that the revamped schedule will make for a very exciting conclusion to the season. We will return to Lake Hartwell, Cherokee Lake and Lake Dardanelle in the future.

The abbreviated season for both MLF and FLW enabled FLW to extend invitations to Major League Fishing’s (MLF) Pros for the three final events, which will grow the field and create “Super Tournaments.” All current Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit anglers will retain their spots on the roster, but the field size will be expanded to include any MLF pros who commit to compete in all three events.

“The major changes to the remainder of our season offered us the opportunity to create what will arguably be the most memorable bass fishing tournaments in history,” Fennel said. “FLW has extended an invitation to all MLF Pros to compete with us.

“As we discussed how FLW should emerge from the quarantine period, we realized that we could work together with MLF to give both organizations’ anglers more opportunities to earn money and represent their sponsors for the remainder of this season. We’re going to give fans an incredible show, with the best anglers in the world fishing for five-bass limits. FLW and MLF will come out of quarantine even stronger.”

As has been the case throughout the 2020 season leading up to the shelter-at-home orders that paused competitive fishing, numerous MLF pros had elected to fish other FLW tournaments. Jacob Wheeler, Jordan Lee, Marty Robinson and Michael Neal have all represented their sponsors at Toyota Series events earlier this year. The 2020 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit “Super Tournaments” will also offer the chance for fans to tune in and see major stars from MLF compete in the traditional five-bass format against FLW’s top pros. FLW has asked that MLF pros indicate their intent to fish by May 15, 2020.

Assuming a 200-boat field, the total purse in each tournament will expand from $820,000 to $1,279,000, for an increase of $1,377,000 over three events. The first-place prize will increase from $100,000 to $125,000, and FLW will pay out $10,000 through 100th place. Contingency prizes will also remain in effect, meaning qualified FLW PHOENIX BONUS pros fish for a top award of $160,000 in each tournament.

Qualification into the Tackle Warehouse TITLE, the FLW Pro Circuit Championship, is also open only to the original Pro Circuit field based on the anglers’ finishing order in the season-long, points standings. The TITLE remains a six-day, MLF-style catch-weigh-immediately-release tournament.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

AnglersChannel Extra Webcast Episode 2 - 50th Bassmasters Classic

On this episode, we recap the 50th Bassmaster's Classic on Lake Guntersville and Birmingham, Alabama. Follow along as we cover the event like no other outlet out there, from on the water to behind the scenes, you'll see it all!

by AnglersChannel

Alabama Bass Trail Announces 2021 Schedule - No Increase in Entry Fee!

NO increase in entry fees for five straight years!
$1300 Entry fees
NO memberships
$100,000 total payout at the NO ENTRY Fee Championship!
Priority registration opens August 1st registration for new teams begins August 15th at 6:00am!

by AnglersChannel

Major League Fishing Cancels 2020 MLF College Faceoffs presented by Wiley X

May 7, 2020 (Tulsa, Okla.) Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today the cancellation of the 2020 MLF College Faceoffs presented by Wiley X in an effort to minimize risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

Originally announced in early March, the four-tournament series featuring the MLF-style catch-weigh-immediately-release format was set to feature 20 College Fishing teams that qualified through the Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI circuit. MLF officials are hopeful that the Faceoff events will return in 2021.

“The health and safety of our anglers, staff and the communities that we visit will continue to be our No. 1 priority as we assess the ongoing health crisis related to the coronavirus,” said Todd Walker, MLF Vice President of Operations. “We remain hopeful that the Faceoffs will return in 2021 and will continue to look for unique opportunities that allow College Fishing anglers to experience the thrill of competing in MLF-style events.”

As previously announced, the 2020 College Fishing season is set to resume for anglers on May 29, 2020, with the Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI at the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Participation in the event is limited to only registered anglers and essential tournament staff, and fans are asked to follow the event online to minimize crowds.

Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI teams compete in regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top ten teams from each division’s regular-season tournaments and the top 20 teams from the annual Abu Garcia College Fishing Open advance to the following year’s Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI National Championship.

For complete details and updated information on the MLF College Faceoffs, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For updated schedules, photos, tournament news and more, follow Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI at FLWFishing.com and on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

by AnglersChannel

B.A.S.S. Announces Revised 2020 Tournament Schedule

May 7, 2020

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After the coronavirus national health emergency forced the postponement of spring competition, B.A.S.S. officials have announced a new schedule for the remainder of 2020 designed to ensure all Bassmaster Elite Series and Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens tournaments can be completed.

“Any time we are forced to postpone a tournament it is disappointing to our anglers, fans, hosts, sponsors and staff,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “After this break of nearly three months, our anglers are looking forward to fishing on these incredible waters, and we know fans are ready to see big bass being weighed in again.

“Our team has worked diligently alongside our local hosts to ensure that we are ready to get back to the competition and fun of tournament fishing in a safe and responsible way.”

Three Elite Series events and two Bassmaster Opens tournaments originally scheduled between March and May were initially postponed. An alternate date for the tournament originally planned on the Sabine River in Orange, Texas could not be identified, prompting an official reschedule of that event for Spring 2021. Instead, the Elite Series will compete on Cayuga Lake in Union Springs, N.Y., where last year Jamie Hartman won with a four-day total of 80 pounds, 13 ounces.

Competition resumes in June, when the Elite field heads to historic Lake Eufaula in Alabama June 10-13.B.A.S.S. hasn’t visited the fishery since 2006.

“We are so excited to welcome B.A.S.S. back to the ‘Big Bass Capital of the World,’” said Ann Sparks, Tourism and Main Street Executive Director for the City of Eufaula. “We are thankful (for) their dedication to rescheduling the tournament. Now we just have to wait and see what they catch!”

Competition for Opens Series anglers resumes in June as well, when the Central Open launches on the Arkansas River in Muskogee, Okla., for their first event of the season June 18-20.

“When originally setting up the schedule, B.A.S.S. took into account the times of year when each fishery would be at its best,” said B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon. “The revisions, while challenging, should present excellent catch opportunities for our field.”

Bassmaster Elite Series

June 10-13, Lake Eufaula, Eufaula, Ala.

July 14-17, Cayuga Lake, Union Springs, N.Y.

July 23-26, SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River, Waddington, N.Y.

July 30-Aug. 2, Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Aug. 20-23, Lake St. Clair, Macomb County, Mich.

Oct. 8-11, Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County, S.C.

Oct. 16-19, Chickamauga Lake, Dayton, Tenn.

Nov. 5-8, Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Lake Fork, Quitman, Texas
Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series

Eastern Division:

Aug. 6-8, Oneida Lake, Syracuse, N.Y.

Sept. 23-25, Lake Hartwell, Anderson, S.C.

Oct. 29-31, Cherokee Lake, Jefferson County, Tenn.

Central Division:

June 18-20, Arkansas River, Muskogee, Okla.

Sept. 10-12, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Jasper, Texas

Oct. 22-24, Neely Henry Lake, Gadsden, Ala.

Nov. 19-21, Lewisville Lake, Lewisville, Texas

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