2020 MLF Heavy Hitters Day 2: Skeet Reese Takes Lead in Qualifying Round, Group B

Skeet works quick to take lead.

By Tyler Brinks 

MLF Press Release

Skeet turned a poor first period to lead in quick order.
(Photo: MLF)

For much of the day Monday, the action on Day 2 of Toyota Heavy Hitters Presented by Venmo on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes seemed slower the first day of competition just 24 hours earlier. But there was still plenty of excitement, including three anglers battling it out for the lead, a lightning-related weather delay and the first 9-pound bass of the week.

Instead of one angler running away with the lead like Zack Birge in Group A, the weights are much tighter in Group B, and it’s setting up to be a close race when the 40 anglers in the group return to action on Wednesday.

After the one-hour weather delay, the group returned with 20 minutes left to fish. Skeet Reese, Mark Rose, and David Walker all traded blows with last-minute catches, but Reese held on to win the round. Both Rose and Walker are one just big bite away from taking over the top spot when Group B gets back to work on Wednesday.

Once again, the midday and afternoon bite proved to be the most productive and that’s when the tournament’s biggest bass came as Rose landed a 9-pound, 2-ounce giant late in the day.

If that holds through Group B’s second Qualifying Round on Wednesday, he’ll walk away with $25,000. The big bass prizes increase to $50,000 for the Knockout Round and $100,000 for the Championship Round.

Reese Rides Strong Period 2 to Win the Round

After Period 1, Reese found himself stuck on zero. Then he went on a tear and put over 30 pounds of bass on the scales in one period alone. He ended the day with 12 bass for a day’s best 43-8.

Needless to say, he was happy with his adjustment.

“I had a hunch and an idea and called an audible after Period 1 and it paid off,” Reese said. “This is new territory for me on the Bass Pro Tour since I’ve never led a day. It feels really good.”

Most of his fish came from the same general area and looking ahead he plans to give that spot another shot.

“I think I can go back and catch a few, but it might not be enough to win. But, I think I can duplicate what I’m doing in some other places,” Reese shared.

2020 MLF Heavy Hitters Day 1: Zack Berge Takes Lead in Qualifying Round, Group A

The first Qualifying Day of the Toyota Heavy Hitters Presented by Venmo is complete, and Brent Ehrler has the biggest bass on SCORETRACKER®, with an 8-pound, 6-ounce largemouth. When Group A returns to the Kissimmee Chain on Tuesday, that’ll be the big bass to beat in order to bring home a $25,000 bonus prize. 

Moments before Ehrler landed the 8-6, Justin Lucas set the bar with an 8-3. 

John Murray also had an interesting afternoon. He caught two big bass in a row, each weighing 7-13. 

While they’re competing to catch the biggest bass of the Qualifying Round, these anglers are also concerned about making the cut on Tuesday and moving on to the Knockout Round. Murray is in fourth place (29-6), Lucas is in sixth place (20-5) and Ehrler sits in 13th place (16-8).Event Details

How to Watch

• Watch all three periods of competition during MLF NOW! live stream June 7-12 beginning at 6:45 a.m EST. Watch for FREE on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF app or MyOutdoorTV.
• The General Tire Takeout show begins at approximately 3:00 p.m. EST after each day of competition.

Format

Day 1: Qualifying Round, Group A

• Forty anglers compete and advance
• Total weight carries to Qualifying Round Day 3

Day 2: Qualifying Round, Group B

• Forty anglers compete and advance
• Total weight carries to Qualifying Round Day 4

2020 CSFL Bass Tournaments Schedule Announced!

The show must go on and CSFL anglers have an opportunity to participate in bass tournaments in 2020. This modified schedule’s dates have been pushed back to accommodate the delayed opening across Ontario.

Link here to complete

SCUGOG	PORT PERRY	JULY 18
SCUGOG	PORT PERRY	JULY 19
STURGEON	SNUG HARBOUR	AUGUST 1
STURGEON	SNUG HARBOUR	AUGUST 2
RICE	GOLDEN BEACH	AUGUST 15
RICE	GOLDEN BEACH	AUGUST 16
TRI-LAKES	BRIDGENORTH	AUGUST 29
TRI-LAKES	BRIDGENORTH	AUGUST 30
BALSAM	COBOCONK	SEPTEMBER 12
BALSAM	COBOCONK	SEPTEMBER 13
COUCHICHING	ORILLIA	SEPTEMBER 26
COUCHICHING	ORILLIA	SEPTEMBER 27

Sail Outdoor Inc. Files of Bankruptcy

Canadian outdoor store seeks protection
By Luigi De Rose

The Laval, Que. based retailer says in a statement that it filed for protection under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act as part of a restructuring process. With stores in Quebec and Ontario, two of the hardest hit provinces with the Covid-19 pandemic, hurt sales and forces retailer to seek protection. 

According to Yahoo Fiance news, CEO Norman Decarie says store closures and other consequences of the pandemic put more pressure on the company's cash flow and financial health. He says the situation forced Sail "to make major decisions to ensure the company's sustainability."

The company says the filing will allow it to get support while it implements a plan aimed at restoring its financial health and better responding to the retail environment.

Employing nearly 1,800 people,  its 14 Sail stores and four Sportium stores continue to be open in accordance with provincial public health guidelines.

Fort Worth, Lake Ray Roberts to host 2021 Bassmaster Classic

Fort Worth Texas home to 2021 Classic
BASS PRESS RELEASE

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  FortWorth 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.”

Evinrude Brand Discontinued!

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

By Luigi De Rose

BRP seek new avenues in boat and technologies as they announce a global halt to the production of their Evinrude motors.  Founded by Ole Evinrude in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1907, it was formerly owned by the publicly traded Outboard Marine Corporation since 1935, but OMC filed for bankruptcy in 2000. BRP/Bombardier soon took over and eventually split the company. 

Here are some key elements from their press release:

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.

Link over to full press release

Z-Man Leap FrogZ

With an innocent little splash, the defenseless amphibian belly-flops into the drink. Powerful legs kick and recoil, scooting the frog forward. The critter pauses, re-surfaces, bulging eyes betraying looming danger. Webbed feet dangle invitingly, soft white belly tantalizing, almost taunting. In one explosive instant, the water beneath the creature drops like an elevator; an .unseen predator opens its jaws with the vacuum force of a plunging five-gallon bucket. With a watery whoosh and a steel-door snap, poor little critter meets his maker.

In the bass-eats-whatever-it-wants-to world, it's tough to be a frog. Even tougher, perhaps, for a new artificial amphibian, freshly metamorphosized and minted by the bass bait artists at Z-Man Fishing. Hatched with a hollow, super collapsible vinyl body, the Z-Man Leap FrogZ puts itself in immediate danger every time it slaps the water's surface. Two different "species"—a Walking Frog and a Popping Frog—arm anglers with situation-specific frog baits, featuring subtle and lifelike or aggressive and loud surface actions, respectively.

Post Spawn Bass With Shimano Pro Aaron Martens Tonight on Facebook

PRO BASS ANGLER AARON MARTENS TALKS LARGEMOUTH STRATIGIES

THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT ON SHIMANO FACEBOOK LIVE

Considered one of the most technical tournament bass anglers, Aaron Martens shares the screen with host JP DeRose this Wednesday night (May 27) at 8 pm EST (7 pm CST, 5 pm PST) as Shimano continues  its Wednesday LIVE  ‘Fishing School’ series on Facebook and YouTube. Martens, a noted expert on post-spawn largemouth strategies,  and DeRose will discuss their thoughts on targeting big bass and will answer questions throughout the hour-long show. The Facebook link for the live broadcast is https://www.facebook.com/FishShimanoNorthAmerica/videos/1151277921923084/, while the YouTube channel link is https://youtu.be/5SFcMp-yG4c.

“Following his recent medical situation, we’ve been anxious for Aaron to be able to join us for our Wednesday night fishing schools,” said Shimano’s pro staff manager Blaine Anderson. “We appreciate him giving us some of his time as we do our part to keep folks fishing.”

Shimano will continue its Wednesday night ‘schools’ into the summer. Visit Shimano’s Facebook page  and YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/FishWithShimano) for future show topics and other information as well as to view past ‘Shimano School’ events on largemouth and smallmouth bass, tarpon, striped bass, snook and redfish.

Memorial Day 2020

Wishing our American friends a safe Memorial Day.