Przekurat Makes History With 2022 Bassmaster Elite Series Win At St. Lawrence!

Cory Johnston breaks 100lbs!

Jay Przekurat of Stevens Point, Wis., has won the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River with a four-day total of 102 pounds, 9 ounces. (Photo: BASS)

BASS PRESS RELEASE

CLAYTON, N.Y. — The question: could it happen?

 

Could an angler win a Bassmaster Elite Series event with a four-day limit of 20 smallmouth bass that weighed 100 pounds or more?

 

It was asked by many throughout the week, and rookie Jay Przekurat of Stevens Point, Wis., gladly answered with a four-day total of 102 pounds, 9 ounces that won the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River.

 

Prior to this event, no angler in recorded sportfishing history had ever reached 100 pounds solely with smallmouth. But with a rare stretch of calm, sunny weather and Wednesday’s super moon igniting the fish, Przekurat did just that.

 

His feat earned him a spot in the prestigious Bassmaster Century Club, which recognizes a four-day total of 100 pounds. It also earned him one of the most prestigious trophies in pro fishing and the $100,000 top prize.

 

“Trying to take in the moment during the day of the tournament is pretty hard because you’re just focused on catching 5-pounders out there,” Przekurat said. “You’re running back to the ramp and you start getting a little emotional. There’s no other feeling like it.”

 

Technically, second-place finisher Cory Johnston of Cavan, Canada, was the first to enter the Century Club with all smallmouth. Starting Championship Sunday in eighth place, Johnston took the stage before Przekurat and tallied 100-5.

 

Nevertheless, Przekurat said winning against a final field stacked with heavy hitters was particularly rewarding.

 

“One of my goals was to beat the Johnston brothers (Cory and sixth-place Chris),” Przekurat joked. “They’ve been coming to my home waters of Sturgeon Bay and taking our money for years, so I had to come over here and take theirs this time.”

 

Przekurat started the event with his biggest catch — a 26-13 limit that put him 1-2 behind Day 1 leader and fellow rookie Jacob Foutz of Charleston, Tenn. Adding 25-8 on Day 2 sent Przekurat into Semifinal Saturday with a 1-13 lead over Cory Johnston.

 

Weighing 24-12 on Day 3 extended his advantage to a margin of 2-15 over Bob Downey of Detroit Lakes, Minn. Przekurat surged across the finish line with a final catch of 25-8 and edged Johnston by 2-4.

Cody Pike Wins 2021 Tackle Warehouse Pro Tour on the St. Lawrence River!

Cody Pike scores 82-12lb to score win on the St. Lawrence!
(Photo: MFL)

TACKLE WAREHOUSE PRO CIRCUIT

Press Release

Shocking – that pretty much summed up the final day of the  Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by Bad Boy Mowers on the St. Lawrence River.

When the Top 10 took off this morning, everyone pretty well knew the outcome. Joey Cifuentes would ride his near 7-pound lead to victory, while the rest jockeyed for second place. Some 10 hours later, Cody Pike stood on the stage, massive check leaned against his leg, big trophy by his side, struggling to hold back tears and find words for what had just happened.

Because in those 10 hours, what happened was Pike putting together his best bag of the tournament (22 pounds, 3 ounces) while Cifuentes unfortunately put together his worst (12-5). And in one of the most unlikely endings to a season finale, it was the rookie, Pike, who weighed in 82-12 total to take home the win at Savage Arms Stop 6 Presented by Abu Garcia.

“That doesn’t happen,” said Pike of his come-from-behind win. “I was blasting off today thinking it was a two-tournament-type deal: How bad Joey was going to beat us by and who could finish second. I was just trying to finish second. So, I had no pressure. It was out of reach, or so I thought.”

Pike and most everyone else thought wrong.

While both Pike and Cifuentes were fishing deeper structures in similar areas, Pike’s spots were tucked away in between the islands near Eel Bay whereas Cifuentes utilized areas more along the main channel down near Clayton. That proved to be a huge difference, as for whatever reason, Cifuentes and many other pros noticed today the current was less, the water had dropped a little and the wind was pushing out of the east to make conditions difficult to drift the main-river spots.

Jacob Wheeler Wins Bass Pro Tour on Lake Travis!

MLF Press Release

AUSTIN, Texas – It was a record-breaking Championship Round in more ways than one, but one thing remained the same—another Jacob Wheeler Bass Pro Tour championship. Wheeler was able to hold off a surging Bobby Lane in the final period on Lake Travis by only 2 ounces—the closest finish in Bass Pro Tour history—to win the Berkley Stage Two Presented by Mercury, his third stage championship since the league was created in 2019.

Wheeler Wins Again, This Time in Heart-Racing Fashion

Wheeler is now the only angler in MLF history to win three Bass Pro Tour events after catching 13 bass for 28 pounds, 13 ounces. His win on Lake Travis was also his sixth MLF victory including Cup competition. While it wasn’t his largest margin of victory, that doesn’t make this win any less sweet. The Googan Baits pro says that he had to work for every fish he caught this week, especially on Wednesday.

“My heart is still pounding because it was a battle all day long,” Wheeler said shortly after his win. “I knew I was going to have to get some bites in the morning if I wanted to win, and luckily I did that. It was the afternoon that made it interesting and I was really fortunate to catch enough early to hold on and get the win.”

Wheeler was the only angler in the Championship Round field to head up the Colorado River while the remaining nine anglers took their chances with the main parts of Lake Travis. The Duckett Rods pro spent the majority of his time rotating between a swim jig, vibrating jig and a topwater bait. Wheeler knew if he could utilize those baits around the right targets up the river—mainly boat docks—then he would find the success he needed to win.

2020 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on Lake Fork Day 2: Patrick Walters leads with 52-12lbs!

Canadians Chris Johnston 44th, Cory Johnston 60th & Gustafson 83rd

By David A. Brown

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Walters ridding a hot streak give 11 pound lead 
over Loughran.
(Photo: BASS)

Patrick Walters said he believes there are fish on every piece of standing timber in Lake Fork, but dialing in the right scenario allowed him to take the Day 2 lead at the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with a total of 52 pounds, 12 ounces.

Walters positioned himself well on Day 1 with a second-place limit of 25-14 and trailed Rick Clunn by 3-6. Adding 26-14 today, the Summerville, S.C., angler carries a lead of 11-3 into Semifinal Saturday.

Returning to the standing timber he fished on Day 1, Walters enjoyed a fast start with a limit of 18-15 by about 8:30. His second catch, a 6-1, got his day going in the right direction.

“That made me feel pretty good, catching that 6-1 first thing; it was like, ‘Okay, they’re still here and they’ll still bite,’” Walters said. “I was worried that the big fish just bit yesterday because of weather or something, so I had no idea what I was going to be able to catch.

“It was good to know they would bite again today. Yesterday, I caught a 4-pounder off that same tree where I caught the 6-1 today.”

Walters said that amid the fields of standing timber, he’s looking for a particular type of structure. He declined to elaborate but noted that the right spots also held bait schools. Finding the fish positioned at the right feeding depth meant it was game-on.

“I also checked some of my other areas that I found in practice,” Walters said. “Everywhere on this entire lake has fish. When you set the boat down, there are fish there. You just have to figure out how to catch them.

“I just needed to expand to make sure I wasn’t missing a better area. You don’t know where the bite’s at, so you have to keep putting your feelers out.”

Van Dam Rockets into Knockout Round MLF!

Kevin VanDam powered his way into the Knockout Round thanks to a strong day on Table Rock Lake.
(Photo: Josh Gassman MLF)

Impending storms were a storyline all day at the Bass Pro Tour Bad Boy Mowers Stage Seven Presented by Covercraft, and they finally became the story at 6 p.m. as Group B’s Elimination Round was cut short by a lightning-caused weather delay that lasted until 7:20 p.m.

When things were deemed safe to resume, anglers had 40 minutes to make a move. Only one significant change happened during those closing moments: Bradley Roy exited the Top 20, and Michael Neal jumped above the Elimination Line.

As the weather became the story, it overshadowed great days from several anglers, some big movers, and a Kevin VanDam sighting at the top of SCORETRACKER®.

VanDam, Suggs Lead the Pack

The leading angler when the storm arrived was Scott Suggs with 122 pounds, 6 ounces. He backed up a solid day during the Shotgun Round with 55 pounds today.

However, in the final moments, VanDam pushed himself to a spot in the leaderboard he’s found himself in many tournaments: the top.

VanDam has had a trying season, but his 69-3 on Monday was the best of anyone in the field as he ended with 123-14.

Big Movers

Nobody made a bigger move than Andy Montgomery, who started the day in 36th and found himself in 33rd after Period 1. A 33-bass, 44-pound tally in Period 2 salvaged his tournament, and he found himself in 12th place to finish the day.

Others making moves were: Mark Davis (21st to 10th), John Murray (24th to 14th), Greg Hackney (28th to 7th), and Jesse Wiggins (23rd to 17th).

Falling out of the cut today was: Gerald Swindle (15th to 24th), Brent Chapman (16th to 25th), and Kelly Jordon (17th to 27th), and Alton Jones, Jr. (18th to 21st).

Andy Montgomery was one of the big movers on Monday. Photo by Phoenix Moore

Scott Martin Wins 2017 Walmart FLW Tour Lake Cumberland with 60-01lbs!

Smallmouth key to victory.

by Rob Newell

FLW PRESS RELEASE

Adjusting to calm, clear water key to win.
(Photo: FLW)

After leading day one of the FLW Tour event on Lake Cumberland presented by T-H Marine, then falling back to fifth place on day two, Scott Martin of Clewiston, Fla., battled back to regain his lead on the final day of the event Sunday, winning in Kentucky with a four-day total of 60 pounds, 1 ounce.

This marks Martin’s 8th FLW Tour win – a new FLW record. During his 18-year career he has won Tour events in Florida, Mississippi, New York, Arkansas, Maryland and now Kentucky, proving that he’s matured from a being just a kid under his famous father’s wing to one of the top anglers in the professional fishing world.

His win on Lake Cumberland demonstrated just how much he has learned to trust his instincts to fish new water instead of being chained only to places where he has caught fish in the past.

“When I first started fishing professionally, I would only fish places where I had caught a fish in practice or in the tournament,” Martin says. “I didn’t have the confidence to go down the lake during a tournament and just pull into a place I had never fished before. Basically, I was a very spot- or area-oriented angler. So this win feels good because it shows progress in becoming more of a pattern-oriented angler that is willing to take risks on new water during the events.”

TOP 10 BELOW

Looking of an Edge with Internet Shopping?

Search Saltwater Sections of Superior Selections

Bu Luigi De Rose

Japanese baits have been prized possessions for decades. Finding an edge by purchasing unique or new baits is always wise. I recall how amazing effective the Lucky Craft 100 baits were when they first arrived; then came the Megabass Ito 110s. Scores of anglers shelled out big bucks to gain the edge. With the web and greater access to Japanese lures, the opportunities to find that magic bait or unseen colour pattern has become strained.

One easy fix is to focus on saltwater baits. Japanese anglers have more access to the salt then to fresh water, so a huge percentage of their tackle stores cater to these anglers. You'll be amazed by the selection and variety available.

One neat thing is the assortment of jerkbaits, vibration and wake baits that are bass size in length but very hefty. Aimed for launching off sea walls, they become a smallmouth bass angler's dream on the Great Lakes were wind is always a problem. An added bonus is that these saltwater approved lures tend to be built more rugged yet they still maintain the superb finishes you would expect from Japan. Usually, the range of patterns and finishes are more flamboyant than for bass, so you'll find some truly cool baits.  

Check out this Megabass ONETEN JR SW. The SW means saltwater.

 Jig heads are also cheaper and superior. I stocked up when the Alabama rig craze hit and paid half of what I would have for specialty A-rig gear. Another benefit is that with metric sizing, anglers can really fine-tune jigs and hooks to create that something different local bass haven't seen. 

So, the next time you'll need to threat yourself to some shopping expand your search. 

Now is the Time for Autumn Smallmouth

Warm days and cool night equals amazing smallmouth bass fishing. Jerkbaits, spinnebaits and jigs can be super when the weather is this warm during autumn.

CSFL Georgian Bay July 7, 2012

(3 fish limit)


1. Mike Rochon and Clint Hurd 14.15lb 5.85SM and OA2. Dan Risorto and JP Derose 12.45 4.45LM
3. Frank Adamo John Delicata 12.4 BM200
4. Peter Marrocco and Oliver Gringull 12.15
5. Phil Curtis and Bill Lindsay 11.95
6. Eric uzac and Choya Fraser 11.85
7 Andre Chowaniec and A Fernandes 11.75
8. Mike Reid and Wes Foster 11.65
9. Terry Crawford and P Beauchamp 11.60
10 Jim McClaren and Jeff Gignac 11.50
11. Pete Batonek and G Savink 11.40
12. Matt Pezzetta and Mike Slocki 11.35
13 Morgan Cignini and Marine Cignini 10.95
14 Kal Vaisanen and Bill Waker 10.90
15 John Whyte and Bob Formosa 10.85
16 Frank Rotundo and Patrick Larmour 10.80
17 Bob and Darren Izumi 10.75
18 Scott MagLaughlin and S Asselin 10.70
19 Garth Greenaway and W. Black 10.60
20 Don Sheldrake and M. Oliveria 10.55

Bassmaster Elite Evan Williams Bourbon Carolina Clash Day 2

Lake Murray: What's Happening!
Lake Murray - Columbia, SC, May 12 - 15, 2011

By Luigi De Rose

Fred " Boom Boom" Roumbais is on top on Day 2 of the Bassmaster Elite Evan Williams Bourbon Carolina Clash. The who and what will be covered in the official BASS press release. I will be discussing the where and how to catching them at Lake Murray.

Points and herring are the key ingredients to the early morning bite. Rick Clunn, the legend of all legends and currently in 5th stated that the herring bite is early and quick. With that in mind almost every angler was zipping back and forth between points waiting and hoping for a school to erupt. Many had success and many others didn't Check out these photos to see the action.



Davy Hite in 3rd working the points.
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS)



Ike zipps around Ott De Foe as Ott fishes a point.
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS)

  Another surprising trend is all the spinning gear. Lighter line and further casts are needed to work the schools of bass and these pros are all on to it. Very interesting to watch how many of these Elite stars felt spinning was the way to go.

Ike's got one.
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS)



Big Show has one.
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS)




Even Jami got one.
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS)

The most important ingredient is the correct lures to catch schooling bass. Soft plastic jerkbaits, swimbaits and topwaters are all deadly. 

What? No flipping jigs. Even Biffle is after the schoolers.
(Photo: Seigo Saito BASS)

A little double rigged fluke rig for South Carolina’s Jason Williamson.
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS)

 AGAIN SORRY FOR THE DELAY BUT BLOGGER WAS DOWN.