2025 Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite on Lake Okeechobee Day 1: DiPalma Scored 29-12Lbs!

Canadians Gallant 7th, Chris Johnston 16th, Kung 38th, Gustafson 68th & Cory Johnston 77th

New Jersey's Greg DiPalma leads the Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee in Okeechobee, Fla., with a weight of 29 pounds, 12 ounces. (Photo: Seigo Saito/ BASS) 

BASS Press Release

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. —  Greg DiPalma of Millville, N.J., believes Lake Okeechobee may be one of the nation’s least-explored bass fisheries, but he did his best to change that by sacking up a limit of 29 pounds, 12 ounces to lead Day 1 of the Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite at this Florida powerhouse.

 

Fishing an atypical area that he found during practice, DiPalma heads into Day 2 with a lead of 3-10 over Will Davis Jr.

 

“Me and Will were sitting side-by-side, which was pretty special,” DiPalma said. “There were four of us in one area and we all had (big) bags.

 

“It was an absolutely incredible day. To be leading one of these, to be honest with you, it’s about time! It feels good. It’s gonna feel really good if I can maintain it.”

 

As DiPalma explained, recent years have seen high water levels choke out much of the Lake Okeechobee vegetation that once created vast bass habitat. With the obvious targets heavily pressured, he knew he needed to find something unique.

 

“This is probably the most unlocked lake in the country, to be honest with you, because everybody beats the bank here and nobody really goes out in the lake and looks for anything,” DiPalma said. “I think there are key areas in this lake if you can find them, and that was one of them.

Elite Pro Scott Martin DQ for Okeechobee Lake!

Information Violation Sidelines Local Favourite. 

BASS Press Release

Birmingham, Ala. – B.A.S.S. officials received a call on the morning of Feb. 26 from Elite Series pro Scott Martin, self-reporting a violation of Rule C3. 3 PRACTICE AND COMPETITION (ii) a. and j., concerning the receipt of information to gain a competitive advantage from a non-competitor. Martin admitted to having a conversation with a local angler about conditions at certain locations on Lake Okeechobee after the no information period was in effect. Due to the infraction, Martin has been disqualified from the 2025 Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite on Lake Okeechobee and has been assessed a fine.

Matt Herren Quits Elites and Moves To NPFL after DQ at BASS Elite St. John's River

 Herren Says Good Bye to Elites after DQ

BASS Press Release

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. officials announced today that Matt Herren has been disqualified and fined after it was determined he had violated “Rule C3. 3 PRACTICE AND COMPETITION (ii) a. and j.” concerning the receipt of information to gain a competitive advantage from a non-competitor.

Officials said they were made aware of the rule violation on Feb. 23, 2025 based on statements made during a polygraph credibility assessment. Herren’s 40th place finish at the 2025 FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River in Palatka, Florida has been vacated, moving Mike Iaconelli into a 50th place finish.   

Bill Lowen Wins 2025 FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River

Canadian Cory Johnston grabs 5th

Indiana's Bill Lowen wins the FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River in Palatka, Fla., with a four-day weight of 73 pounds, 14 ounces. (Photo: Seigo Saito/BASS) 

BASS PRESS RELEASE

PALATKA, Fla. —  Twice in three days vegetation threatened to thwart Bill Lowen’s efforts. Both times persistence prevailed, as the Brookville, Ind., pro tallied a four-day total of 73 pounds, 14 ounces to win the 2025 FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River.

Lowen, who won his first Elite title at Pickwick Lake in 2021, placed third on Day 1 with 21-5, then took over the lead with a second-round limit of 24-4. Sacking up 18-1 on Semifinal Saturday, Lowen held the top spot and entered Championship Sunday with a 5-4 lead over his nearest competitor.

Day 4 proved excruciatingly stingy, as Lowen struggled to coax fish that showed increasing sensitivity to the week’s severe cold front. He missed his limit by one keeper, but after anchoring an otherwise slim bag with a 7-pound, 7-ounce bass, Lowen turned in a final bag that went 10-4 and edged Jay Przekurat by 4 ounces.

“Today was weird; I lost my fifth fish three times, and one of them was a good one — maybe 4 or 5 pounds,” Lowen said. “I’ve always said, ‘When it’s your time, it’s your time and you can’t do anything wrong.’

Ryan Armstrong Wins 2025 Stop 1 Presented by Vosker on the Kissimmee Chain

Armstrong holds on for wire-to-wire win at Kissimmee Chain

By Jody White, Invitationals Press Release

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The 2025 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals opener was a wild ride from start to finish. Up and down the Top 10, young guns and veterans alike caught big ones all kinds of ways, and the results showed off the best of a really talented group.

This Invitationals season appears to have picked up where 2024 left off. One thing remained steady throughout the event, and it was Ryan Armstrong at the top of the leaderboard. After blasting 29 pounds, 12 ounces to take the lead in Stop 1 Presented by VOSKER on the Kissimmee Chain, the Illinois pro backed it up again and again, only ever looking shaky late in the mornings before his afternoon bite picked up.

On Day 3,  Armstrong weathered the morning, snatched up 16-1 in the afternoon and totaled up 68-6 for the win and an $80,000 paycheck. 

Finishing second, Drew Gill weighed an even 62 pounds on the week. In third, rookie Banks Shaw got his year started off on the right foot with 61-10, and in fourth, bolstered by 28-5 on Day 2, Joshua Weaver earned another Florida Top 10 with 61-3.

The next Invitationals event is Stop 2 Presented by Suzuki Marine on Lake Hartwell, March 14-16. Armstrong has the early lead for Fishing Clash Angler of the Year, and Shaw leads the way in points for Polaris Rookie of the Year.

Armstrong keeps it simple for the win

“Fancy” has not been the way to win tournaments in Florida lately. Last week, Robert Branagh basically did one thing to win at Okeechobee, and Bobby Lane didn’t have to get very creative for his win on the Harris Chain. This week, Armstrong continued the trend, locking big line and a big stick in hand and picking apart one area day after day, flip after flip.

2025 FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River Day 3: Lowen Remains in the Lead

 Canadians Cory Johnston 7th, Chris Johnston 15 & Kung 16th

Indiana's Bill Lowen leads the FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River in Palatka, Fla., with 15 bass weighing 63 pounds, 10 ounces. (Photo: Seigo Saito/BASS)

PALATKA, Fla. —  Even the ideal habitat cannot fully hide from a major Florida cold front. Just ask Bill Lowen, who fought through a slower Day 3 to retain his lead at the 2025 FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River.

After placing third on Day 1 with 21-5, the Brookville, Ind., pro moved into the lead with a second-round limit of 24-4. Adding 18-1 on Semifinal Saturday, Lowen heads into Championship Sunday with 63-10 and a 5-4 lead over John Garrett.

“That water where I’m fishing is about 4 degrees colder than it was yesterday,” Lowen said in reference to the sharp cold front that arrived on Thursday. “I had one little zone that was a couple degrees warmer, and that’s where I caught all my fish.

“My primary area where I caught ‘em the last two days, I never caught a fish there today. When the tide got right (around 11 a.m.), I made sure I was there, and I caught my two biggest fish. The tide is so important here and if you miss that window, you’ll miss those big bites.”

Sticking to the game plan that delivered his prior success, Lowen spent most of his day in a creek north of takeoff. He targeted shallow, submerged wood but he noted that the creek’s 27-foot depths proved strategic in giving the bass greater stability than shallower areas throughout the St. Johns system.

2025 FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River Day 2: Bill Lowen Take Leads

Canadians Kung 5th, Chris Johnston 26th, Cory Johnston 37th, Gallant 57th & Gustafson 83rd

BASS PRESS RELEASE

PALATKA, Fla. —  When the necessary became the nemesis, Bill Lowen’s patient persistence delivered a clutch catch that typified his amazing day.

Bolstering a Day 1 limit of 21 pounds, 5 ounces with a second-round bag that went 24-4, the seasoned pro from Brookville, Ind., leads the 2025 FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River with a two-day total of 45-9. Lowen heads into Semifinal Saturday with a 7-14 margin over Day 1 leader Jay Przekurat.

“It was an amazing day; you just can’t explain it when it happens,” Lowen said. “You look for those days all the time, and I had one of those days today.”

Lowen has been targeting shallow wood with a flipping jig and swim jig. When he hooked a solid bass around noon, the fish became entangled in a pile of limbs. After a couple of minutes of Lowen tugging and carefully poking his rod tip toward the snare, the fish suddenly found its way free.

“I saw the fish run a bream up against the bank, so I threw my jig over there, and as soon as the jig hit the water, she ate it,” Lowen said. “I was going to the back of the boat to land her and she just got stuck in a (submerged tree). I could feel her pulling, so I knew she was still there, but I couldn’t gain on her.

2025 FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River Day 1: Przekurat Leads with 24-15lbs

Canadians Kung 8th, Gallant 29th, Cory Johnston 53rd, Chris Johnston 67th & Gustafson 91st

BASS PRESS RELEASE

PALATKA, Fla. —  Jay Przekurat of Plover, Wis., was just happy to finally hit the water, but his winter-weary enthusiasm lead him to a five-bass limit of 24 pounds, 15 ounces that leads Day 1 of the 2025 FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River.

Przekurat, who won the 2022 Dakota Lithium Elite Series Rookie of the Year title, leads Texan Lee Livesay by 2-2.

Not the least bit intimidated by takeoff temperatures in the upper 40s, or Friday’s forecast for 34 degrees at sunrise, Przekurat ignored the traditionally gloomy outlook associated with cold fronts and notoriously weather-sensitive Florida bass. The result was a nearly flawless day far surpassing his expectations.

“What a day; I couldn’t do any wrong today,” Przekurat said. “All I have to say is ‘I’m so happy to be fishing in Florida.’ At home yesterday they cancelled school because it was so cold. Whatever tomorrow is, I know everybody at home will be watching me fishing in Florida, wishing they were fishing in Florida.

“I’m just happy to be fishing. Prior to this tournament, I hadn’t wet a line since before October, so I was really anxious to get out.”

KAGE Welcomes its First Baitcaster

The new freshwater/saltwater crossover KAGE SV TW 150 is founded on DAIWA’s pioneering SV Concept and HYPERDRIVE^® Design

"It's the first baitcaster in the KAGE collection, so we really wanted to load it up,” said DAIWA Field Marketing Specialist, Chris Martin. “In my mind, foremost is the inclusion of the SV Spool.” The KAGE SV TW 150’s features an SV (Stress-Free, Versatile) 34mm A7075 aircraft grade spool, which offers casting control like no other. The design of the spool, as well as how the spool interacts with the braking system, gives maximum control on the cast while simultaneously increasing casting distance.

KAGE SV TW 150’s second significant feature-set is HYPERDRIVE® DESIGN. Once limited to more expensive models, DAIWA employed “trickle down technology,” bringing HYPERDRIVE DESIGN to the KAGE SV TW 150. HYPERDRIVE DESIGN involves a combination of advanced manufacturing techniques, which considerably improve the performance and lifespan of the reel. More about individual HYPERDRIVE components below. 

DAIWA’s new KAGE SV TW 150 also owns “crossover” status, as it’s designed for both freshwater and saltwater use. Martin explained: “We included corrosion resistant ball-bearings (CRBB) to make it saltwater grade. It’s a great benefit for anglers who fish in both environments.”

Chris Miller Wins 2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by SEVIIN

Canadian Joey T. grabs 11th! 

By Andrew Canulette 

BASS PRESS RELEASE

JASPER, Texas — Foul weather trimmed the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by SEVIIN from a three-day tournament to a one-day derby. So, before competition even began, the 233 competing anglers knew they’d have to go big if they wanted to go home a winner.

Chris Miller of Spirit Lake, Iowa, found the right bites Friday, weighing a limit of five bass totaling 28 pounds, 10 ounces. That clinched the win for the 37-year-old homebuilder who’d fished in only eight B.A.S.S. events prior to his victory at Rayburn.

Miller collected a hefty $52,086 cash prize with the win, part of a $345,850 cash purse split among the top 45 anglers competing on the 114,500-acre reservoir in east Texas. 

Bobby Lane Wins 2025 Bass Pro Tour Suzuki Marine Stage 2 Presented by YETI on the Harris Chain of Lakes

Bobby Lane rallies to comeback win on Harris Chain

Celebrating a Stage 2 victory was a family affair for Bobby Lane. Photo by Joel Shangle.

By Mitchell Forde 

BASS PRO TOUR Press Release 

LEESBURG, Fla. — Across a decorated 17-year career that includes a REDCREST victory, one of the few accomplishments that had eluded Bobby Lane was a national-tour win in Florida. He’d come close – in fact, the last time the Bass Pro Tour visited the Harris Chain of Lakes, Lane finished second to Ott DeFoe – but had yet to lift a trophy in his home state.

Midway through the Championship Round at Suzuki Marine Stage 2 Presented by YETI at the Harris Chain of Lakes, it looked like Lane would have to keep waiting.

Matt Becker and Mark Davis shot out of the starting blocks, both amassing more than 30 pounds in the first period. Lane, meanwhile, started on the opposite end of Lake Apopka from where he’d caught most of his fish due to the strong south wind and struggled to gain traction. Halfway through Period 2, he’d tallied just 17 pounds, 6 ounces and trailed Davis by more than 20 pounds – and as the wind continued to increase in intensity, presenting baits and generating bites became more difficult by the minute.

2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at San Rayburn Reservoir presented by SEVIIN Now 1 Day only due to Weather!

 

JASPER, Texas — Due to severe weather threats and high winds forecast for Saturday, B.A.S.S. tournament officials have canceled Saturday’s competition day at the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by SEVIIN. The decision was made after officials consulted with local meteorologists.

“The National Weather Service is forecasting sustained winds out of the SSW of 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph,” said Executive Director of Tournaments Hank Weldon. “In addition, there is a significant threat of severe weather. The meteorologist I just spoke with is confident a severe line will come through early- to midafternoon, which will be before we can complete weigh-in for a full field.”

As a result, Friday will be the only day of competition for the Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn Reservoir, and the tournament will conclude at the end of the day.

Takeoff will be Friday at 7 a.m. CT at Umphrey Family Pavilion in Brookeland, Texas, with weigh-in at 3 p.m. at the same location.

The event is being sponsored by the Jasper County (Texas) Development District No. 1.

See You At The Show!

 

The countdown is on—The Spring Fishing & Boat Show starts on Friday! 

Get ready for an incredible weekend filled with the latest gear, exciting contests, and epic giveaways! Plus, don’t miss your chance to win a boat and motor package, courtesy of Suzuki Canada and Smokercraft!

Skip the line and save! Pre-purchase your tickets now at www.springfishingandboatshow.com and use code CSFL for a special discount.

Daiwa Canada Open for Business

 

We are excited to announce the opening of our brand new Daiwa Canada National Service Center. Now handling all rod and reel warranty claims and service needs across Canada! Contact info shown and all Canadian service request forms can be found on our website at Daiwa.us

The Bassmaster Classic returns to Knoxville for 2026

The Super Bowl of Bass Fishing is making its way back to one of the most electrifying destinations in the sport.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Super Bowl of Bass Fishing is making its way back to one of the most electrifying destinations in the sport. B.A.S.S. officials announced today that the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour will return to Knoxville, Tenn., for the third time on March 13-15, 2026.
With competition set on the Tennessee River’s Fort Loudoun and Tellico lakes, daily weigh-ins will take place at the University of Tennessee’s Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in downtown Knoxville. The Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by GSM Outdoors, featuring more than 200 exhibitors, will be held at the Knoxville Convention Center and World’s Fair Exhibition Hall, offering over 250,000 square feet of event space. Visit Knoxville will once again serve as the event’s host.

BOOYAH Goes Deeper with Flash Point

 

The BOOYAH Flash Point quickly became the go-to jerkbait for countless anglers after last year’s introduction, and it took top new product honors in the Hard Baits category at the Pittman Creek Dealer Show. With success came requests for a deeper-diving version to reach fish that suspend a bit deeper.

 

The new Flash Point Deep dives to 10 feet, 4 feet deeper than the original, but everything else remains unchanged. Same profile, finish, colors, swimming action, suspending posture, hooks…

 

The Flash Point and Flash Point Deep feature a narrow profile that facilitates a highly responsive action and suggests an easy target. A broader rounded back and belly accurately mimic shad or herring. Etched scales and fins, along with intricate painting, create an exceptionally lifelike appearance.

 

The action, triggered by every snap of the rod tip, is quick and highly erratic. The Flash Point Deep is engineered to suspend at a 45-degree nose-down angle when paused to imitate a dying baitfish. A weight-transfer system, which utilizes tungsten beads, allows for long casts, which can be critical for fishing jerkbaits, especially in clear water.

 

The Flash Point Deep jerkbait is 4.25 inches long and weighs 1/2 ounce. It comes armed with three No 6 ultra-sharp carbon steel SS finish treble hooks. It is available in the 12 colors that were developed for the original Flash Point, which include highly natural baitfish imitations and attractor patterns.

 

MSRP: $14.99

Justin Cooper Wins 2025 Bass Pro Tour B&W Trailer Hitches Stage 1 Presented by Power-Pole on Lake Conroe

Cooper conquers Conroe, earns first win in Championship Round thriller

Mitchell Forde

BASS PRO TOUR Press Release

CONROE, Texas — For about 3 hours and 40 minutes Sunday afternoon, Justin Cooper sat atop SCORETRACKER® at B&W Trailer Hitches Stage 1 Presented by Power-Pole. The Louisiana pro’s lead had been threatened repeatedly – including, at one point, Jacob Wall tying him in weight – but every time, he mustered an answer.

So, when Cooper boated a 1-pound, 10-ounce Lake Conroe largemouth with about a minute left before lines out, he thought he’d simply added a little insurance to his cushion. He didn’t realize the fish, one of the smallest of the 34 scorable bass he caught on the day, would be worth $150,000.

A few seconds earlier, Colby Miller – one of Cooper’s closest friends who’d been steadily gaining ground on him since the first period – landed a 2-10. That fish finally unseated Cooper, giving Miller a 9-ounce lead. All of 22 seconds later, Cooper’s 1-10 hit SCORETRACKER®. Another 68 seconds after that, time ran out on an epic first Championship Round of the 2025 Bass Pro Tour season. 

The final tallies: 78-5 for Cooper, 77-4 for Miller. Cooper had his first professional win.

“It’s indescribable,” Cooper said. “I never thought that I could win one. I’ve always been a bridesmaid and never a bride. I just never thought it was in the cards for me to win a big event like that. I thought I could have a good, solid career but always missed that part. So, to get that win and have my family here, it means everything.”

Here’s how the Top 10 anglers finished the Championship Round:

1. Justin Cooper – 78-5 (34)

2. Colby Miller – 77-4 (35)

3. Jacob Wall – 74-2 (32)

4. Alton Jones Jr. – 69-7 (26)

5. Jacob Wheeler – 63-11 (29)

6. Jake Lawrence – 60-10 (25)

7. Drew Gill – 58-9 (23)

8. Zack Birge – 46-15 (24)

9. Nick LeBrun – 40-3 (18)

10. Justin Lucas – 26-12 (12)