Monday, October 23, 2023
Thursday, October 19, 2023
MLF announces strategic plan for 2024 Bass Pro Tour and beyond
MLF returns to its roots, reinstates “every fish counts” format on the Bass Pro Tour, announces exclusive field of 50 anglers in 2025 to showcase top performers
Major League Fishing, the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, today announced long-term plans for the Bass Pro Tour, including an investment in increased livestreaming of MLF competition, a return to the “every fish counts” scoring format, and an exclusive roster of 50 anglers for the Bass Pro Tour in 2025 to increase visibility and showcase top performers.
2025 Bass Pro Tour
The 2025 Bass Pro Tour field will feature an all-star roster of 50 anglers comprised of the top 35 pros from the 2024 Bass Pro Tour lifetime Angler of the Year (AOY) standings, the Top 10 anglers from the 2024 Bass Pro Tour single-year standings that did not qualify via the top 35 lifetime AOY standings, and the top five anglers from the 2024 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals.
Each regular-season 2025 Bass Pro Tour event will be four days with every angler competing the first two days. The Top 20 anglers based on two-day cumulative weight will advance to the Knockout Round (Day 3). Weights will reset in the Knockout Round, and the Top 10 anglers will advance to the Championship Round (Day 4). Winners will be determined by heaviest cumulative weight from the Knockout and Championship rounds.
“The future of our sport is livestreaming, catch-weigh-immediate release and every fish counts,” said MLF President and CEO Boyd Duckett. “By focusing on 50 anglers in a more compact event that’s easy for both die-hard and casual fans alike to follow, we’ll do what other successful leagues have done to grow – focus on a small group of the highest performers and make them the most visible personalities in the sport. It also allows us to enhance what are already the sport’s best payouts.”
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
First EQ class graduates to Elites
BASSMASTER
Congratulations and welcome to the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series.
There were 172 aspiring anglers who competed in the first year of Bassmaster’s Elite Qualifier series, which was comprised of nine St. Croix Bassmaster Opens. The top nine anglers in EQ points graduated to fish the top circuit in B.A.S.S.
While three anglers ran away from the pack, the final spots in the EQ series came down to the final day of fishing.
J.T. Thompkins, John Garrett and Trey McKinney were virtually assured of reaching the Elites before the last Open this past weekend on Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes.
With the eighth through 17th EQ spots separated by only a couple dozen points, several anglers were nervous as they leap-frogged one another through the weather-shortened tournament. It went down to the final moments, and the last several had to sweat it out before the reveal.
Link here for to meet the new Elites
Monday, October 16, 2023
Matt Messer Wins 2023 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Harris Chain of Lakes!
Late bonus pushes Messer to Bassmaster Open victory at Harris Chain of Lakes
Matt Messer of Warfield, Ky., has won the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Harris Chain of Lakes with a two-day total of 39 pounds, 13 ounces. (Photo: BASS)
BASS PRESS RELEASE
LEESBURG, Fla. — Two weeks ago, Matt Messer wondered how he would pay for his 2024 tournament entry fees.
But winning the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Harris Chain of Lakes completely changed that outlook.
After leading Day 1 with 24 pounds, 6 ounces, the Warfield, Ky., angler added a second-round total of 15-7 and tallied 39-13. Edging Blake Sylvester of Plaquemine, La., by 1-12, Messer won $42,467 and an automatic berth in the 2024 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic scheduled for March 22-24 in Tulsa, Okla.
“I’ve been dreaming of the Classic since I was 5 and now I get a shot at it,” Messer said. “I can hardly talk. I’m torn all to pieces.”
Messer, who won the 2022 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Harris Chain presented by Bass Pro Shops with his brother and Kentucky Christian University teammate Lafe Messer, caught both day's limits in Lake Griffin. While Day 1 yielded a 7-14 and a 7-2, the second round saw his lone shot at a kicker fizzle.
“I did not think I was going to catch ‘em,” Messer admits. “I was grinding and I got one big bite, but I didn’t get it in the boat. It was like a 7-pounder.
Thursday, October 12, 2023
The Last St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Start Tomorrow on Harris Chain of Lakes!
The top 10 Bassmaster EQ Elite Qualifiers will secure a position for the 2024 BASS Elite season. Will Canadian, Jamie Bruce hold onto 10th place? Find all the official results here on IBASSIN.com.
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Billy Gilbert and Brad Brodnicki Crowned 2023 CHAMPIONS with 22.50lbs!
2023 CANADIAN TIRE LAKE ERIE OPEN
Monday, October 9, 2023
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Abu Garcia Zenon MG-X Spinning Reel
Abu Garcia’s completion of the premium and high-performance Zenon spinning reel lineup.
KEY FEATURES
• Asymmetric one-piece magnesium gear box design delivers a compact reel design that is ultra-lightweight
• Air fin spool design helps reduce weight
• V-Rotor design reduces start up inertia
• Carbon handle and co-molded handle knob
• AMG fully machined aluminum main gear gives unparalleled smoothness and durability
• 10+1 HPCR bearing system
• Rocket line management system
• Mid arbor spool design
• 6.2:1 gear ratio
• Weight: 2500 – 5.5oz • 3000 – 5.7oz
MSRP: $399.95
Available: September, 2023
To learn more about the Abu Garcia, click.
Monday, October 2, 2023
A Smallmouth Secret: The Carolina Rig







