Category: MLF BIG-5

Virginia’s McCarthy Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League on Kerr Lake

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date March 30, 2021
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HENDERSON, N.C. (March 30, 2021) – Boater Ryan McCarthy of Warrenton, Virginia, wins the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine at Kerr Lake in Henderson, North Carolina. McCarthy earned $6,894 for his victory at the event, hosted by the Vance County Tourism Development Authority.

TOP 10 RESULTS

RANK	BOATER NAME/HOMETOWN	BASS	WEIGHT	AWARD
1^st	Ryan McCarthy of Warrenton, Va.	5	17-5	$6,894
2^nd	Marty Warren of Elon, N.C.	5	17-0	$1,940
3^rd	Jeff Gafford of Pamplin, Va.	5	15-6	$1,293
4^th	Carlton Owens of Franklin, Va.	5	14-12	$905
5^th	Travis Lugar of McGaheysville, Va.	5	13-12	$776
6^th	Brandon Cox of Ruther Glen, Va.	5	13-10	$711
7^th	Paul Smith of Victoria, Va.	5	13-9	$647
8^th	Tim Kowalewski of Bumpass, Va.	5	13-8	$1,032
9^th	Ben Reynolds of Callands, Va.	5	13-7	$517
10^th	Tyler Trent of Nathalie, Va.	5	13-3	$453

RANK	STRIKE KING CO-ANGLER NAME/HOMETOWN	BASS	WEIGHT	AWARD
1^st	Tyrone Adams, Jr. of Fredericksburg, Va.	5	11-4	$1,940
2^nd	David Williams of Fredericksburg, Va.	5	10-12	$1,095
3^rd	Carl Whipple of Manassas, Va.	4	10-2	$646
4^th	William Lisenby of Centreville, Va.	5	9-13	$453
5^th	Nelson class of Woodbridge, Va.	4	9-12	$388
6^th	Gerrit Vanvoorhees of Lenexa, Va.	5	9-10	$356
7^th	Ricky Grant of Callands, Va.	5	9-3	$291
7^th	Tyler Folts of Ashburn, Va.	5	9-3	$291
7^th	Steven Jacobs of Sanford, N.C.	5	9-3	$291
10^th	Justin Faison of South Prince George, Va.	5	8-13	$226

CONTINGENCY AWARDS

AWARD	NAME	CONTINGENCY	PAYOUT
Boater Big Bass	Ryan McCarthy of Warrenton, Va.	4-pound, 15-ounce bass	$515
Strike King Co-Angler Berkley Big Bass	Robert Reid of Clinton, Md.	4-pound bass	$257
Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus	Ryan McCarthy of Warrenton, Va.	Eligible Phoenix Boat*	$2,500

* 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 Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.
WINNING BAITS

ANGLER	BAIT	COLOR
Boater	Missile Jig	Did Not Divulge
Strike King Co-Angler	Generic Spinnerbait	Did Not Divulge

2021 QUALIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES

EVENT	DATE	LOCATION	HOST
Shenandoah Division – Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship	Oct. 14-16	Lake Murray, Columbia, S.C.	Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board
Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American	June 3-5	Douglas Lake, Dandridge, Tenn.	Jefferson County Department of Tourism

The 2021 MLF 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 Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championships. 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 Strike King co-anglers will fish for a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.

The top six finishers in each regional will then qualify for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.

The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the Toyota Series, the pathway to the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour.

MLF BIG-5

South Carolina’s Howard Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League on Santee CooperPresented by Googan Baits

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date March 30, 2021
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SUMMERTON, S.C. (March 30, 2021) – Boater Chuck Howard of Elloree, South Carolina, won the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine at Santee Cooper Presented by Googan Baits in Summerton, South Carolina. Howard earned $4,686 for his victory at the event.

TOP 10 RESULTS

RANK	BOATER NAME/HOMETOWN	BASS	WEIGHT	AWARD
1^st	Chuck Howard of Elloree, S.C.	5	26-15	$4,686
2^nd	Todd Smith of Bonneau, S.C.	5	26-14	$2,343
3^rd	Casey Warren of Longs, S.C.	5	26-5	$1,562
4^th	Daniel Howell of Prosperity, S.C.	5	24-13	$1,093
5^th	Spencer McNeill of Ladson, S.C.	5	24-11	$937
6^th	Chris Jones of Conway, S.C.	5	24-2	$859
7^th	Bryce Matthews of Olanta, S.C.	5	24-1	$781
8^th	Chris Epting of Chapin, S.C.	5	24-0	$1,203
9^th	Cecil Wolfe of Summerton, S.C.	5	23-13	$625
10^th	Ken Ellis of Bowman, S.C.	5	23-7	$547

RANK	STRIKE KING CO-ANGLER NAME/HOMETOWN	BASS	WEIGHT	AWARD
1^st	Andrew Starnes of Chapin, S.C.	5	20-7	$2,343
2^nd	Keith Thomasson of Abbeville, S.C.	5	18-8	$1,172
3^rd	Wayne Frierson of Manning, S.C.	4	14-15	$781
4^th	Samuel Jones of Raleigh, N.C.	5	14-5	$547
5^th	Terry Coleman of Sumter, S.C.	5	14-2	$469
6^th	Mike Sather of Beech Island, S.C.	3	13-7	$430
7^th	Brian Bultman of Aiken, S.C.	5	13-1	$371
7^th	Jeff Bissen of Lake Irmo, S.C.	5	13-1	$371
9^th	Brennan Gunther of Mount Pleasant, S.C.	3	13-0	$312
10^th	Robert Derrick Jr. of Charlotte, N.C.	2	12-12	$259
10^th	Beau Wilder of Charlotte, N.C.	3	12-12	$259

Full results from the event can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

CONTINGENCY AWARDS

AWARD	NAME	CONTINGENCY	PAYOUT
Boater Berkley Big Bass	Jason Morse of Sumter, S.C.	9-pound, 10-ounce bass	$690
Strike King Co-Angler Berkley Big Bass	Randy Brown of Lugoff, S.C.	7-pound, 11-ounce bass	$345
Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus	Chris Epting of Chapin, S.C.	Eligible Phoenix Boat*	$500

ANGLER	BAITS	COLOR
Boater	– Yamamoto Senko	– Green Pumpkin
Strike King Co-Angler	– Wacky-rig	N/A

2021 QUALIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES

EVENT	DATE	LOCATION	HOST
South Carolina Division – Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship	Oct. 21-23	St. Jons River, Palatka, Fla.	Putnam County Tourist Development Council
Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American	June 3-5	Douglas Lake, Dandridge, Tenn.	Jefferson County Department of Tourism

The top six finishers in each regional will then qualify for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.

MLF BIG-5

Arkansas’ Barnes Wins Toyota Series Event on Lake Texoma Presented by Abu Garcia

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date March 28, 2021
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KINGSTON, Okla. (March 28, 2021) – Toyota Series angler Evan Barnes of Hot Springs, Arkansas, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 13 pounds even to win the three-day Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. at Lake Texoma Presented by Abu Garcia in Kingston, Oklahoma. Barnes’ three-day total of 14 bass weighing 42-10 earned him the win by a 3-pound, 3-ounce margin over second-place angler Cameron Mattison of Benton, Louisiana and earned Barnes the top payout of $40,906 in the second tournament of the 2021 Toyota Series Southwestern Division.

“I’ve had a tough year, on the [Pro Circuit], missing checks and stuff,” said Barnes. “This year, I felt like I was led to fish full-time and I made that big leap of faith. Because I’ve had such a tough year, and financially there were a lot of questions, I really didn’t know if I was going to come to this tournament. I wanted to come, but, I’m telling you, I literally started praying. I was like ‘Lord, if you want me to come to this tournament, then you need to let me know.’ I felt Him urging me to go and knew I was going, but without that nudge, I wouldn’t even be standing here today.”

A pastor and a constant participant in Meet the Pros ministry events on the Pro Circuit, Barnes speaks about his faith as eloquently as anyone. On Saturday, after catching nothing off all his best areas, his hopes of a win were slipping away.

“I didn’t have a bass at 1 o’clock,” said Barnes. “Man, I pulled up on this point, right by weigh-in, and I caught a 2-pound smallmouth. I wanted to go back to my main areas and give them one more shot, but for whatever reason, it had to be the Lord, I just turned around and made a few more casts. I bombed that swimbait up and caught like a 4-pounder. We literally caught all of our fish over there, I caught my last one with 10 minutes to go and half the people here were watching me fish.

“It was just nuts – I didn’t have a single bass at 1 o’clock. Then I pulled up on that point and caught five and my co-anger caught four and we both win the event.

Barnes caught his fish off shallow brush and a pair of clutch points, using HI-SEAS fluorocarbon, Phenix Recon Elite rods and Daiwa reels. He targeted brush in less than 10 feet of water with a Duo Realis Apex Vibe painted by Curry’s Customs and a Black’s Custom Lures Widow Maker A-rig with three ¼-ounce heads from Motivated Fishing and 3.3-inch Keitech Swing Impact FAT swimbaits in the crystal shad color.

The brush fish were difficult to catch, but Barnes said his Garmin LiveScope helped tremendously.

“I think there were at least three or four fish this week I would not have caught without LiveScope,” said Barnes. “It was very difficult to get the fish to bite. You could see them everywhere, they were on every brush pile, and you could throw an A-rig out there and they wouldn’t bite. But every once in a while, you’d get one to track it. One of the big ones I caught this week, I watched it track it, and finally shook it right in her face and she grabbed it.”

The story of Day 1, and the entire event to an extent, was the flurry of smallmouth that Barnes ignited to stake the lead. With a few fish in the livewell, Barnes pulled up on a point where he’d gotten a few bites and landed a 2-pound bass in practice.

“I rolled over there to that point, and the first one I catch is a 4-pounder,” said Barnes.

He and co-angler Billy Sammons proceeded to light the world on fire. At one point, Barnes had a fish breaking water with his bait in his mouth while he was getting ready to net a fish for Sammons. Somehow, not only did he not lose his rod overboard, he landed the fish.

“That just goes to show you,” said Barnes. “When it’s your time, you can’t do anything to stop it.”

The top 10 pros on Lake Texoma finished:

            1^st:       Evan Barnes of Hot Springs, Ark., 14 bass, 42-10, $40,906
            2^nd:      Cameron Mattison of Benton, La., 15 bass, 39-7, $15,270
            3^rd:       Billy Cline of Bartonville, Texas, 13 bass, 38-10, $11,822
            4^th:       Christopher Temple of Krugerville, Texas, 11 bass, 35-0, $11,102
            5^th:       Blake Schroeder of White House, Texas, 12 bass, 33-1, $8,866
            6^th:       Chad Mrazek of Montgomery, Texas, nine bass, 30-6, $7,881
            7^th:       Mitchell Webb of Skiatook, Okla., nine bass, 29-8, $7,042
            8^th:       Tommy Dickerson of Orange, Texas, 11 bass, 28-10, $5,911
            9^th:       Wesley Dawson of Chester, Texas, nine bass, 27-10, $4,926
            10^th:     James Ware of Longview, Texas, 10 bass, 26-15, $3,941

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

Christopher Temple of Krugerville, Texas took home an extra $1,000 as the highest finishing Phoenix MLF BIG5 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 Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.

Bill Bean of Eufaula, Oklahoma, won the Strike King Co-angler Division Saturday with a three-day total of 13 bass weighing 31 pounds, 5 ounces. Bean took home the top prize package of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on Lake Texoma finished:
1^st:       Bill Bean of Eufaula, Okla., 13 bass, 31-5, Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat w/115-hp outboard
2^nd:      Keith Honeycutt of Temple, Texas, 12 bass, 30-7, $4,935
3^rd:       Hank Williams of Claremore, Okla., 11 bass, 23-14, $3,948
4^th:       Mike Crain of Oklahoma City, Okla., seven bass, 22-4, $3,454
5^th:       Jake Inderman of Allen, Texas, six bass, 17-11, $2,961
6^th:       Ben Burns of Lucas, Texas, eight bass, 17-5, $2,467
7^th:       Billy Sammons of Whitesboro, Texas, five bass, 16-14, $1,974
8^th:       Joshua Williams of Newcastle, Okla., five bass, 16-1, $1,727
9^th:       Trever Tinkle of Liberty, Texas, seven bass, 15-11, $1,480
10^th:     Johnny Burke of Bristow, Okla., five bass, 13-4, $1,234
River Lee of Nacogdoches, Texas, took home an additional $146 for the Day One Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division, with a bass weighing 6 pounds, 10 ounces. Mitchell Webb of Skiatook, Oklahoma, won the Day Two Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division, bringing an 6-pound, 6-ounce bass to the scale.

In the Strike King co-angler division, the $97 Day One Berkley Big Bass award winner was Thomas Martens of Cedar Park, Texas, with a 8-pound bass, while the $97 Day Two award went to Paul Reutlinger of Mineola, Texas, with a 6-pound bass.

The Toyota Series at Lake Texoma was presented by Abu Garcia and was hosted by Discover Durant. It was the second of three regular-season tournaments in 2021 for Southwestern Division anglers. The next event for Toyota Series anglers will take place March 31 – April 2 – the Toyota Series at Dale Hollow Lake in Monroe, Tennessee. For a complete schedule, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The 2021 Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, 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 presented by A.R.E. Championship for a shot at winning $235,000 cash, including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus for qualified anglers. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard.

The 2021 Toyota Series Championship presented by A.R.E. will be held Oct. 28-30 on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee, and is hosted by the Hardin County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

MLF BIG-5

WV’s Davidson Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League on Dale Hollow

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date March 23, 2021
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BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. (March 23, 2021) – Boater Ryan Davidson of Branchland, West Virginia, wins the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine at Dale Hollow in Byrdstown, Tennessee. Davidson earned $14,250 for his victory at the event, hosted by the Star Point Resort.

TOP 10 RESULTS

RANK	BOATER NAME/HOMETOWN	BASS	WEIGHT	AWARD
1^st	Ryan Davidson of Branchland, W.V.	5	17-15	$14,250
2^nd	David Stephens of Bowling Green, Ky.	5	17-13	$3,000
3^rd	Jonathan Green of East Bernstadt, Ky.	5	17-6	$2,000
4^th	Beau Grissim of Lebanon, Tenn.	5	17-5	$1,400
5^th	Robert Reagan of Byrdstown, Tenn.	5	16-10	$1,200
6^th	Brandon Maynard of Cookeville, Tenn.	5	16-2	$1,100
7^th	Eric Daniel Moore of Union, Ky.	5	16-0	$1,000
8^th	Mike Bryant of Cookeville, Tenn.	5	15-14	$900
9^th	Chris Holland of Winchester, Tenn.	5	15-13	$800
10^th	Josh Gaffney of Crab Orchard, Ky.	5	15-12	$700

RANK	STRIKE KING CO-ANGLER NAME/HOMETOWN	BASS	WEIGHT	AWARD
1^st	Pop Catalin of Cookeville, Tenn.	5	11-7	$3,000
2^nd	Christopher Stites, Jr. of La Vergne, Tenn.	5	11-5	$1,500
3^rd	Caleb Chambers of Elizabethton, Tenn.	5	11-4	$1,000
4^th	Taylor Wisniewski of Lexington, Ky.	5	11-1	$650
4^th	Travis Giddens of Cookeville, Tenn.	5	11-1	$775
6^th	Les Baker of Lawrenceville, Ill.	4	10-14	$550
7^th	Bob Wiles of Hunington, W.V.	3	10-3	$975
7^th	Abbie Greynolds of Liberty, Ky.	3	10-3	$475
9^th	Ricky England of Sparta, Tenn.	3	9-15	$400
10^th	Dakota Cantrell of Decherd, Tenn.	5	9-9	$350

CONTINGENCY AWARDS

AWARD	NAME	CONTINGENCY	PAYOUT
Boater Big Bass	Pat Eichmann of Nancy, Ky.	5-pound, 3-ounce bass	$1000
Strike King Co-Angler Berkley Big Bass	Bob Wiles of Hunington, W.V.	5-pound, 1-ounce bass	$500
Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus	Ryan Davidson of Branchland, W.V.	Eligible Phoenix Boat*	$7,000

ANGLER	BAIT	COLOR
Boater	Generic moving baits	N/A
Strike King Co-Angler	Worm	Brown with blue flake

2021 QUALIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES

EVENT	DATE	LOCATION	HOST
Music City Division – Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship	Oct. 7-9	Wheeler Lake, Decatur, Ala.	Decatur Morgan County Tourism
Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American	June 3-5	Douglas Lake, Dandridge, Tenn.	Jefferson County Department of Tourism

The top six finishers in each regional will then qualify for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.

MLF BIG-5

Oklahoma’s Davis Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League on Grand LakePresented by Abu Garcia

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date March 23, 2021
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GROVE, Okla. (March 23, 2021) – Boater Harmon Davis of Marlow, Oklahoma, wins the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine at Grand Lake Presented by Abu Garcia in Grove, Oklahoma. Davis earned $5,961 for his victory at the event, hosted by the City of Grove.

TOP 10 RESULTS

RANK	BOATER NAME/HOMETOWN	BASS	WEIGHT	AWARD
1^st	Harmon Davis of Marlow, Okla.	5	21-15	$5,961
2^nd	Andy Carroll of Greenwood, Ark.	5	17-7	$2,760
3^rd	Brent Haggard of Sallisaw, Okla.	5	17-4	$1,837
4^th	Thomas Canady of Collinsville, Okla.	5	15-10	$1,788
5^th	Kord Hudkins of Pocola, Okla.	5	15-6	$1,546
6^th	Larry Crouch of Carthage, Mo.	5	15-5	$1,012
7^th	Gunner West of Spiro, Okla.	5	14-12	$920
8^th	Wayne Diffee of Bernice, Okla.	5	14-8	$828
9^th	Ryan Stinchcomb of Fort Smith, Ark.	5	14-3	$736
10^th	Brit Sumter of Prairie Grove, Ark.	5	13-8	$644

RANK	STRIKE KING CO-ANGLER NAME/HOMETOWN	BASS	WEIGHT	AWARD
1^st	Jason Wedel of Lowell, Ark.	5	12-9	$2,744
2^nd	Fred Fielder of Tahlequah, Okla.	5	12-0	$1,372
3^rd	Shaun Bradley of Edmond, Okla.	5	10-12	$917
4^th	Jim McLaughlin of Vinita, Okla.	5	9-11	$640
5^th	Alan Hill of Ada, Okla.	4	9-4	$549
6^th	Keith Baucom of Haskell, Okla.	4	8-11	$503
7^th	Nolan Wilson of Edmond, Okla.	3	8-3	$457
8^th	Jake Hess of Tulsa, Okla.	3	7-14	$412
9^th	Brady Short of Oxford, Kan.	3	7-8	$366
10^th	Scott Smith of Blanchard, Okla.	2	7-4	$320

CONTINGENCY AWARDS

AWARD	NAME	CONTINGENCY	PAYOUT
Boater Big Bass	Kord Hudkins of Pocola, Okla.	5-pound, 14-ounce bass	$442
Boater Big Bass	Harmon Davis of Marlow, Okla.	5-pound, 14-ounce bass	$442
Strike King Co-Angler Berkley Big Bass	Brandon (long) Nguyen of Overland Park, Kan.	5-pound, 11-ounce bass	$440
Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus	Thomas Canady of Collinsville, Okla.	Eligible Phoenix Boat*	$500

ANGLER	BAIT	COLOR
Boater	Santone Lures Spinnerbaits	White
Strike King Co-Angler	Googan Baits Saucy Swimmer Swimbait	Did Not Disclose

2021 QUALIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES

EVENT	DATE	LOCATION	HOST
Okie Division – Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship	Oct. 21-23	Lake Ouachita, Mt. Ida, Ark.	Visit Hot Springs
Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American	June 3-5	Douglas Lake, Dandridge, Tenn.	Jefferson County Department of Tourism

The top six finishers in each regional will then qualify for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.

MLF BIG-5

John Cox Extends Lead at Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit on Lewis Smith Lake

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date March 13, 2021
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CULLMAN. Ala. (March 13, 2021) – Berkley pro John Cox of DeBary, Florida , who led the tournament on Day Two, brought a five-bass limit to the scale on Saturday, weighing 12 pounds even, to stay on top of the leaderboard after Day Three of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit presented by Bad Boy Mowers, Covercraft Stop 2 – Lewis Smith Lake in Cullman, Alabama.

Rookie Tai Au of Glendale, Arizona, jumped from fifth place into second on Day Three, with a five-bass limit weighing 12 pounds, 12 ounces, giving him a two-day total of 40 pounds, 6 ounces – a 5-pound, 4-ounce gap that could prove challenging on the stingy fishery. Spencer Shuffield of Hot Springs, Arkansas , made the biggest jump of the day, starting the day in 28th place and vaulting into seventh place with a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, 10 ounces, bringing him into the Top 10 with a total of 39 pounds, 3 ounces.

The event features 163 of the best bass fishing professionals from around the world, competing in a four-day competition for a top cash payout of up to $135,000.

“I want to win so badly on this lake,” Cox said. “I want to win here worse than anywhere else in the country. It would make a lot of really bad memories disappear. But, today was a little miserable. The only keepers that actually took my bait were the five I brought to the scale.”

Cox said despite the struggle today, he’s still not really looking at beds or trying to fish them.

“I saw some empty beds, and a few with fish on them, but the fish were really spooky,” said Cox. “They still needed to be surprised or tricked into biting. There aren’t any eggs down, so they are passed the point of where I’ve already caught them, and now are further in where they want to make their beds.”

Cox said he caught a lot of males today, but they just weren’t big enough to keep.

“I know I’m in the Top 10 and I’m trying to get excited for tomorrow, but I’m so burned out – there have been a lot of boats on a lot of areas today, so I tried to let some of those areas rest and ran around and fished more random stuff to try to get to those better pockets I wanted to fish. I don’t think we weighed one fish today out of any of the actual pockets I was looking forward to fishing.

“I think I’m just mentally and physically drained from fishing so much water and not getting bit. A lot of times through the day, I was thinking ‘I need to change baits – I need to change colors’, but I honestly just think if those fish were ready, they would have taken anything.

“I went to start on a stretch, but threw to a dock randomly and caught one, then threw to the dock again and caught another one, which got me excited – but that was the total excitement for the entire day.”

Cox said he almost ran all the way to the dam around 10 a.m., but changed his mind because he had three bass and thought he would be able to catch two more pretty easily.

“Hopefully it won’t be as crowded tomorrow – today it was nuts everywhere I went, with people on all the spots,” said Cox. “I’m planning to just rig up everything the same tomorrow and see what happens.”

The top 10 pros advancing to the final day of competition Sunday on Lewis Smith Lake are:
1st:      John Cox, DeBary, Fla., 15 bass, 45-10
2^nd:      Tai Au, Glendale, Ariz., 15 bass, 40-6
3^rd:       Kyle Cortiana, Coweta, Okla., 15 bass, 39-13
4^th:       Cody Meyer, Star, Idaho, 14 bass, 39-9
5^th:       Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 15 bass, 39-6
6^th:       Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., 15 bass, 39-4
7^th:       Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., 15 bass, 39-3
8^th:       Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 15 bass, 38-8
9^th:       Troy Morrow, Eastanollee, Ga., 15 bass, 38-4
10^th:     Kyle Hall, Grandbury, Texas, 15 bass, 38-1
Anglers finishing 11^th through 20^th are:
11^th:     Chase Serafin, White Lake, Mich., 15 bass, 37-12, $11,000
12^th:     Kerry Milner, Fisher, Ark., 13 bass, 37-3, $11,000
13^th:     Dylan Hays, Hot Springs, Ark., 15 bass, 36-13, $11,000
14^th:     John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., 15 bass, 36-13, $11,000
15^th:     Cody Huff, Ava, Mo., 14 bass, 36-9, $11,000
16^th:     Joshua Weaver, Macon, Ga., 14 bass, 36-7, $11,000
17^th:     Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., 15 bass, 35-10, $11,000
18^th:     Jesse Wiggins, Logan, Ala., 15 bass, 34-5, $11,000
19^th:     Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, 14 bass, 33-11, $11,000
20^th:     Terry Bolton, Benton, Ky., 14 bass, 33-10, $11,000
For a full list of results visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 186 bass weighing 423 pounds, 14 ounces, caught by 50 pros on Friday, which included 25 five-bass limits.

The MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit presented by Bad Boy Mowers, Covercraft Stop 2 – Lewis Smith Lake is hosted by the Cullman Area Local Organizing Committee.

In Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit competition, the full field of 162 anglers competed in the two-day opening round on Thursday and Friday. The field was cut to 50 anglers on Saturday. Now, the top 10 pros based on their three-day cumulative weight advance to Sunday where the winner will be determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all four days of competition.

Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2021 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit TITLE presented by Mercury, the Pro Circuit Championship, where they will compete for up to $235,000. The 2021 TITLE will be on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin on Aug. 17-22, and is hosted by Explore La Crosse.

Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CT on Sunday from Smith Lake Park, located at 403 County Rd 386 in Cullman. Weigh-in will also be held at the park on Sunday at 4 p.m. Attendance is limited to competing anglers, family, essential staff and media covering the event. Fans are encouraged to follow the action online through the MLF NOW! live stream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com .

The MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit presented by Bad Boy Mowers, Covercraft Stop 2 – Lewis Smith Lake will feature live on-the-water coverage and a two-hour action-packed television show that will premiere on the Outdoor Channel on Sunday, July 18 from 7 to 9 a.m. ET and re-air on the Sportsman Channel this fall. Fans can catch weigh-ins and live on-the-water action all day Saturday and Sunday, March 13-14 on MLF NOW! beginning at 7:30 a.m. CT at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

MLF BIG-5

John Cox Surges Ahead at Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit on Lewis Smith Lake

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date March 13, 2021
No Comments on John Cox Surges Ahead at Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit on Lewis Smith Lake

CULLMAN. Ala. (March 12, 2021) – Berkley pro John Cox of DeBary, Florida brought a five-bass limit to the scale on Friday, weighing 16 pounds, 13 ounces, to take control of the leaderboard after Day Two of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit presented by Bad Boy Mowers, Covercraft Stop 2 – Lewis Smith Lake in Cullman, Alabama. Starting the day in fourth place, Cox’s two-day total of 10 bass weighing 33 pounds, 10 ounces moved him into the top spot heading into Day Three of the event.

Pro Kerry Milner of Fisher, Arkansas, dropped one spot, from 1st place into 2nd, with a five-bass limit weighing 13 pounds, 14 ounces, giving him a two-day total of 31 pounds, 14 ounces – just 1-pound, 12-ounces shy of Cox.

The four-day competition features a field of 163 of the best bass fishing professionals from around the world competing for a top cash award of up to $135,000.

Cox said he’d been itching to sight-fish beds, but didn’t allow himself to even look on Thursday or Friday.

“I just know they aren’t ready yet,” said Cox, the 2016 FLW Cup champion. “I’m hoping they get ready before the tournament is over, but there are too many on the move right now and there are way more opportunities to run into them while they are moving than to catch them on a bed.”

Cox said he went into the tournament planning to focus on dirty water until the bass committed to beds, then switch to cleaner water when he could sight-fish them. However, after the last two days’ haul, he will likely stick with what’s working.

“I caught many of Friday’s fish in random pockets that I hadn’t visited yet, so I think just following that pattern and catching them on the move is going to be my best bet,” continued Cox. “The water is warming up so fast – there was almost a 10-degree difference from the beginning of the day to the end – so I’m definitely keeping my options open to any changes in movement over the next two days.”

Cox said he had seven total keepers on Day Two, which was quite a feat considering it was a struggle for most of the field.

“I’ve been throwing a Dirty Jigs Swim Jig with a Berkley Powerbait Maxscent Meaty Chunk Trailer and mixing it up with a frog and a wacky-rigged Berkley Powerbait The General Worm,” said Cox. “I fished different areas of the lake, but basically used the same baits and techniques both days.”

Cox, who has a lot of history on the fishery, said he’s fishing many of the same pockets he’s fished in the past.

“They served me well then and I hope to continue the success through the remainder of this event.”

The top 20 pros after Day Two on Lewis Smith Lake are:
1st:      John Cox, DeBary, Fla., 10 bass, 33-10
2^nd:      Kerry Milner, Fisher, Ark. 10 bass, 31-14
3^rd:       Corey Neece, Bristol, Tenn., 10 bass, 29-12
4^th:       Chase Serafin, White Lake, Mich., 10 bass, 27-13
5^th:       Tai Au, Glendale, Ariz., 10 bass, 27-10
6^th:       Cody Meyer, Star, Idaho, 10 bass, 27-8
7^th:       Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 10 bass, 27-7
8^th:       Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., 10 bass, 27-6
9^th:       Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 10 bass, 27-0
10^th:     Cody Huff, Ava, Mo., 10 bass, 26-14
11^th:     Dakota Ebare, Denham Springs, La., 10 bass, 26-10
12^th:     Dylan Hays, Hot Springs, Ark., 10 bass, 25-13
13^th:     Joseph Webster, Winfield, Ala., eight bass, 25-10
14^th:     Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala., 10 bass, 25-10
15^th:     Kyle Cortiana, Coweta, Okla., 10 bass, 25-7
16^th:     John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., 10 bass, 25-4
17^th:     Braxton Setzer, Wetumpka, Ala., 10 bass, 24-15
18^th:     Joshua Weaver, Macon, Ga., nine bass, 24-9
19^th:     Troy Morrow, Eastanollee, Ga., 10 bass, 24-8
20^th:     Greg Bohannan, Bentonville, Ark., 10 bass, 24-6
For a full list of results and to see the top 50 anglers that will continue to Day Three, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Birge won the day’s $500 Berkley Big Bass award, bringing a 5-pound, 4-ounce bass to the scale.

Overall, there were 535 bass weighing 1,212 pounds even caught by 163 pros on Friday, which included 62 five-bass limits.

The MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit presented by Bad Boy Mowers, Covercraft Stop 2 – Lewis Smith Lake is hosted by the Cullman Area Local Organizing Committee.

In Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit competition, the full field of 163 anglers competed in the two-day opening round on Thursday and Friday. The top 50 pros based on their two-day cumulative weight now advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros will continue competition on Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.

Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CT Saturday and Sunday from Smith Lake Park, located at 403 County Rd 386 in Cullman. Weigh-ins will also be held at the park Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m. Attendance is limited to competing anglers, family, essential staff and media covering the event. Fans are encouraged to follow the action online through the MLF NOW! live stream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

MLF BIG-5

Arkansan Milner Leads Day One ofTackle Warehouse Pro Circuit on Lewis Smith Lake

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date March 11, 2021
No Comments on Arkansan Milner Leads Day One ofTackle Warehouse Pro Circuit on Lewis Smith Lake

CULLMAN, Ala. (March. 11, 2021) – Bass fishing professionals from around the world set out on Lewis Smith Lake Thursday to begin their four-day competition for a shot to win up to $135,000 at the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit presented by Bad Boy Mowers, Covercraft Stop 2 – Lewis Smith Lake. Pro Kerry Milner of Fisher, Arkansas, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 18 pounds even, to take the early lead after Day One. Milner holds a mere 5-ounce lead over pro Joseph Webster of Winfield, Alabama , who caught five bass weighing 17-11, good for second place.

Milner brought five spotted bass to the scale but said he boated a whopping 20 keepers on the tough day.

“I’m seeing a lot of people fishing the same stuff I’m fishing, but having different results,” said Milner. “I’ve been able to go right in behind people and catch them.”

Milner said he has two spots on the main lake with schools of fish that he feels are especially good because of the herring in the area.

“I’m seeing herring float up, watching them on the graph and seeing fish spit them up when I catch them,” said Milner. “There are multiple fish in those areas – you can just sit there and catch them all day.”

When asked if he thought his bait was the difference-maker, Milner was guarded, but said he believed it was the total technique.

“I’m doing something a little different than everyone else and I think the other guys are missing them on the depth by just a bit,” said Milner. “I figured out what I was going to do in practice – I instantly went to a spot that sets up like these two areas, and caught a 3-pounder. I tried a few other things, then came back to this same technique and was able to shake off fish in five different spots on the lake. At that point, I knew what I needed to do and let the fish and the areas rest until competition day. That’s what I plan to do until those fish abandon me.”

It was refreshing for Milner to start out with a bang on Day One of the competition, as he said his prior two trips to Lewis Smith Lake didn’t go nearly as well.

“The other times we were at Lewis Smith, it was a little bit too early for the technique I’m using,” Milner continued cryptically. “I had a pretty good first day of practice one year, that set up just like this, but they left and got on beds. It’s still a bit too cold for that though, so I don’t think they are going to move up this week.”

Milner would only say that he was “fishing the way he wants to fish” and said it was very familiar and the way he typically fishes on Arkansas’ Norfork Lake, Lake Dardanelle and other fisheries.

“This is what I look for everywhere I go,” said Milner. “ My fans and followers back home know exactly what I’m doing.”

Perhaps if the spots hold and the technique continues, Milner will clue us in on his technique and what worked so well for him on Thursday.

The top 10 pros after Day One on Lewis Smith Lake are:

1^st:       Kerry Milner, Fisher, Ark., five bass, 18-0
2^nd:      Joseph Webster, Winfield, Ala., five bass. 17-11
3^rd:       Joshua Weaver, Macon, Ga., five bass, 17-4
4^th:       John Cox, DeBary, Fla., five bass, 16-13
5^th:       Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, five bass, 16-2
6^th:       Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla., five bass, 15-15
7^th:       Corey Neece, Bristol, Tenn., five bass, 15-3
8^th:       Tai Au, Glendale, Ariz., five bass, 14-15
9^th:       Ricky Robinson, Greenback, Tenn., five bass, 14-13
10^th:     Kyle Cortiana, Coweta, Okla., five bass, 14-8

For a full list of results visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Cox won the day’s $500 Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division, bringing home a bass weighing 5 pounds, 4 ounces to the scale.

Overall, there were 544 bass weighing 1,273 pounds, 10 ounces caught by 163 pros on Thursday, which included 65 five-bass limits.

The MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit presented by Bad Boy Mowers, Covercraft Stop 2 – Lewis Smith Lake is hosted by the Cullman Area Local Organizing Committee.

In Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit competition, the full field of 163 anglers compete in the two-day opening round on Thursday and Friday. The top 50 pros based on their two-day cumulative weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition on Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.

Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2021 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit TITLE presented by Mercury, the Pro Circuit Championship, where they will compete for up to $235,000. The 2021 TITLE will be on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin on Aug. 17-22, and is hosted by Explore La Crosse.

Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CT Thursday through Sunday from Smith Lake Park, located at 403 County Rd 386 in Cullman. Weigh-ins will also be held at the park Thursday and Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m. Attendance is limited to competing anglers, family, essential staff and media covering the event. Fans are encouraged to follow the action online through the MLF NOW! live stream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com .

The MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit presented by Bad Boy Mowers, Covercraft Stop 2 – Lewis Smith Lake will feature live on-the-water coverage and a two-hour action-packed television show that will premiere on the Outdoor Channel on Sunday, July 18 from 7 to 9 a.m. ET and re-air on the Sportsman Channel this fall. Weigh-ins will be streamed daily and fans can catch live on-the-water action all day Saturday and Sunday, March 13-14 on MLF NOW! beginning at 7:30 a.m. CT at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

MLF BIG-5

Florida’s Smith Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League on Harris Chain of Lakes

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date February 23, 2021
No Comments on Florida’s Smith Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League on Harris Chain of Lakes

California’s Sharp Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division

Leesburg, Fla. (Feb. 22, 2021) – Boater Corey Smith of Clermont, Florida, won the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine at Harris Chain of Lakes presented by Googan Baits in Leesburg, Florida. Smith earned $6,000 for his victory at the event, hosted by Visit Lake County, Florida.

TOP 10 RESULTS

RANK	BOATER NAME/HOMETOWN	BASS	WEIGHT	AWARD
1^st	Corey Smith of Clermont, Fla.	5	29-9	$6,000
2^nd	Neil Nix of Okeechobee, Fla.	5	27-3	$3,000
3^rd	Tyler Sheppard of Jacksonville, Fla.	5	23-4	$2,000
4^th	Eric Panzironi of Longwood, Fla.	5	23-2	$1,400
5^th	Robert Crosnoe of Inverness, Fla.	5	22-8	$1,200
6^th	Michael King of Riverview, Fla.	4	22-7	$1,100
7^th	Tim Frederick of Leesburg, Fla.	5	22-1	$1,000
8^th	Casey Marsh of Dunnellon, Fla.	5	21-15	$900
9^th	Jonathan Hoobler of Alachua, Fla.	5	19-7	$800
10^th	Joel Willert of Prior Lake, Minn.	5	19-1	$900

RANK	STRIKE KING CO-ANGLER NAME/HOMETOWN	BASS	WEIGHT	AWARD
1^st	Brennon Sharp of Folsom, Calif.	5	21-6	$3,500
2^nd	Joshua Dunn of Mulberry, Fla.	5	20-3	$1,500
3^rd	Justin Brown of Frostproof, Fla.	5	18-4	$1,050
3^rd	Luis Lindstedt of Melbourne, Fla.	5	18-4	$850
5^th	Dawson Wiles of Fruit Cove, Fla.	4	16-2	$600
6^th	John Brown of Deltona, Fla.	5	15-15	$550
7^th	Kenneth Hunnicutt of Jacksonville, Fla.	5	14-11	$500
8^th	Adam Giran of Wesley Chapel, Fla.	5	14-3	$450
9^th	Sean Ripley of Lakeland, Fla.	5	13-13	$400
10^th	Bill Richards of Davenport, Fla.	3	12-13	$350

CONTINGENCY AWARDS

AWARD	NAME	CONTINGENCY	PAYOUT
Boater Berkley Big Bass	T.W. Garten of East Palatka, Fla.	10-pound, 7-ounce bass	$1,000
Strike King Co-Angler Berkley Big Bass	Brennon Sharp of Folsom, Calif.	8-pound, 10-ounce bass	$500
Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus	Matt Gee of Grand Island, Fla.	Eligible Phoenix Boat*	$500

WINNING BAITS

ANGLER	BAIT	COLOR
Boater	Jigs	N/A
Strike King Co-Angler	Jigs	N/A

2021 QUALIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES

EVENT	DATE	LOCATION	HOST
Gator Division – Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship	Oct. 21-23	St. Johns River, Palatka, Fla.	Visit Lake County, Florida
Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American	June 3-5	Douglas Lake, Dandridge, Tenn.	Jefferson County Department of Tourism

The top six finishers in each regional will then qualify for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.

MLF BIG-5

South Carolina’s Parker Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League on Lake Norman

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date February 23, 2021
No Comments on South Carolina’s Parker Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League on Lake Norman

Hickory’s Benfield Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 23, 2021) – Boater John Parker of Gaffney, South Carolina, won the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine at Lake Norman in Mooresville, North Carolina. Parker won by a 1-ounce margin, earning $5,843 for his victory at the event, hosted by the Mooresville Convention and Visitors Bureau.

TOP 10 RESULTS

RANK	BOATER NAME/HOMETOWN	BASS	WEIGHT	AWARD
1^st	John Parker of Gaffney, S.C.	5	14-5	$5,843
2^nd	Craig Chambers of Charlotte, N.C.	5	14-4	$2,921
3^rd	Eric Moser of Concord, N.C.	5	13-8	$1,948
4^th	Christopher Brown of Lexington, N.C.	5	12-15	$1,363
5^th	Shane Lehew of Catawba, N.C.	5	12-0	$1,169
6^th	John Wiese of Charlotte, N.C.	4	11-11	$2,031
7^th	Curtis Dillon of Advance, N.C.	5	11-0	$974
8^th	Ben Hudson of Lynchburg, Va.	4	10-15	$876
9^th	Ron Farrow of Rock Hill, S.C.	5	10-13	$779
10^th	Aaron Digh of Denver, N.C.	5	10-12	$682

RANK	STRIKE KING CO-ANGLER NAME/HOMETOWN	BASS	WEIGHT	AWARD
1^st	Michael Benfield of Hickory, N.C.	4	6-15	$2,921
2^nd	Ernest McIntyre of Fayetteville, N.C.	4	6-14	$1,461
3^rd	Charles Wood of Thomasville, N.C.	3	6-11	$973
4^th	David L. Deciucis of Chester, Va.	3	6-10	$682
5^th	Drew Lumpkin of Cameron, N.C.	3	6-2	$584
6^th	Mike Shatley of North Wilkesboro, N.C.	4	6-1	$536
7^th	Artie Phillips of Monroe, N.C.	2	5-14	$727
8^th	Grant McPeters of Marion, N.C.	3	5-11	$438
9^th	William Britt of Clarkton, N.C.	2	5-5	$390
10^th	Scottie Elswick of Gordon, W.V.	2	4-15	$341

CONTINGENCY AWARDS

AWARD	NAME	CONTINGENCY	PAYOUT
Boater Berkley Big Bass	John Wiese of Charlotte, N.C.	5-pound, 15-ounce bass	$910
Strike King Co-Angler Berkley Big Bass	Patrick Brondos of Wilkesboro, N.C.	4-pound bass	$455
Strike King Co-Angler Berkley Big Bass	Artie Phillips of Monroe, N.C.	4-pound bass	$240
Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus	Matt Stark of Mooresville, N.C.	Eligible Phoenix Boat*	$500

WINNING BAITS

ANGLER	BAIT	COLOR
Boater	Jerkbait	Did Not Disclose
Strike King Co-Angler	Shaky Head & Rapala Shad Rap Crankbait	Did Not Disclose

2021 QUALIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES

EVENT	DATE	LOCATION	HOST
North Carolina Division – Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship	Oct. 14-16	Lake Murray, Columbia, S.C.	Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board
Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American	June 3-5	Douglas Lake, Dandridge, Tenn.	Jefferson County Department of Tourism

The top six finishers in each regional will then qualify for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.

HOTTEST NEW LURES FOR 2020