Casey Scanlon Wins 2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Norfork Lake presented by SEVIIN

Weather, tornado and flood shorten event 

Scanlon's Day 1 lead holds true. 
(Photo: Andy Crawford/BASS) 

BASS Press Release

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. — The water was murky, but Casey Scanlon’s clear understanding of bass behavior led him to victory in the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Norfork Lake presented by SEVIIN.

Due to forecasts for severe weather, including heavy thunderstorms, hail, and possible tornadoes, B.A.S.S. officials cancelled the event’s scheduled second and third days. Scanlon, an Ozarks veteran from Eldon, Mo., who led Day 1 with 18 pounds, 5 ounces was declared the winner.

Finishing with a margin of 1-8 over Doug Chapin, Scanlon took home the top prize of $52,086 and earned a berth in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, March 13-15 at the Tennessee River.

“It feels great to win,” Scanlon said. “Obviously, I would have loved to go three days, but I’ve been doing this a long time and you take these wins anyway you can get them.

“The Bassmaster Opens have become more competitive than ever before, so any time you can beat this caliber of competition, it’s an accomplishment.”

Heavy rains prior to the tournament sent muddy plumes into Norfork. Scanlon said he saw the lake rise only a foot and a half to 2 feet from the level he fished during practice, but turbidity levels were drastically different.

“The water level didn’t rise too badly, but it brought some current into the lake,” Scanlon said. “I think it helped me; it really positioned the fish a little better for me.”

Fishing the mid-lake region, Scanlon focused on the backs of major creeks where he knew the bigger fish would follow the rising water. With lots of floating debris he called “sawdust,” Scanlon located a key spot where current dynamics kept a prime habitat feature clear of the clutter.

Dustin Connell Wins 2025 Bass Pro Shops REDCREST Presented by Miller Tech

Dustin Connell goes back-to-back, claims third championship title on Lake Guntersville with 87-11

Dustin Connell captured his third REDCREST title with 87 pounds, 11 ounces on 27 Lake Guntersville bass. Photo by Phoenix Moore.

Mitchell Forde

BASS PRO TOUR Press Release

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The 2025 iteration of Bass Pro Shops REDCREST Presented by MillerTech on Lake Guntersville marked the third time Major League Fishing’s championship event has been held in the bass-fishing mecca of Alabama.

For the third time, Dustin Connell is keeping the trophy in his home state.

Connell ran away from the field on Championship Sunday, both figuratively and literally. After making a roughly 70-mile trek away from the history- and largemouth-rich waters of lower Lake Guntersville to the tailrace below the Nickajack Dam, Connell stacked up 87 pounds, 11 ounces on 27 scorable bass. The best single-day total of any angler at the event (despite a 65-minute delay due to weather), that was enough to hold off a late charge from Wesley Strader by 8-5.

Connell earned $300,000 for the win and further cemented himself as the best big-event performer going. The only angler to win REDCREST multiple times, he’s claimed the title in back-to-back years and three times total – he previously won on Lake Eufaula in 2021 and Lay Lake in 2024. He’s now just the third angler ever with three tour championship titles. Only Bass Fishing Hall of Famers Kevin VanDam and Rick Clunn have won more with four apiece.

This also marked his seventh total win on the Bass Pro Tour. Shortly after it became official, an emotional Connell said that, in some ways, it’s the most special one yet.

“I think just me winning the tournament doing my own deal, winning it with my style of fishing that I love, and then coming off of a couple tough tournaments and just a lot of adversity, I was very, very, very shook up,” Connell said.

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

1. Dustin Connell — 87-11 (27)
2. Wesley Strader — 79-6 (29)
3. Zack Birge — 44-12 (17)
4. Paul Marks Jr. — 43-5 (15)
5. Jake Lawrence — 38-10 (15)
6. Chris Lane — 38-10 (16)
7. Brent Ehrler — 37-12 (14)
8. David Dudley — 33-8 (10)
9. Ron Nelson — 15-2 (6)
10. Bobby Lane — 8-5 (3)

 

Scott Martin Withdraws from 2025 Elites due to possible 2nd disqualification

Scott Martin has withdrawn from the Bassmaster Elite Series.

BASS Press Release

B.A.S.S. officials confirm that Elite Series angler Scott Martin has voluntarily withdrawn from B.A.S.S. competition for the remainder of 2025. A formal protest was submitted on March 28 concerning Martin; however, he chose to step away from the Elite Series before the B.A.S.S. investigation process concluded and prior to the administration of an official truth verification exam.

Scott Martin's facebook video:

https://www.facebook.com/ScottMartinChallengeTV/videos/2004192520069052

Gene Larew Classic Baits Transitioning to YUM

Anglers will be the primary beneficiaries as the most popular baits from Gene Larew Lures transition to YUM Bait Company in 2025. The benefit will come in the form of savings because the YUM-branded versions of these beloved baits will sell for 3.99 instead of 6.99.

 

Soft plastic baits becoming part of YUM include the Salt Craw, Hammer Craw, Hoo Daddy Jr, Scutter Bug and Scutter Bug Jr, with the latter two being the baits known as the Biffle Bug and Biffle Bug Jr under Gene Larew. YUM also will offer Hard Heads in five sizes and Glass Rattles, both from the former Gene Larew brand.

 

“Closing out a Brand is never easy, but financially it was the best decision,” said Chad Warner, Vice President of Brand Management for PRADCO-Fishing. “We have taken the most successful shapes and terminal pieces and put those under the YUM brand. Those shapes and terminal choices compliment that brand extremely well, and from a price point perspective, it’s a win for the consumer!”

 

The transition will also strengthen the YUM brand and provide retailers with a broader selection of proven producers as YUM Baits. The YUM versions of these baits will be available in their most popular original colors, but also in some of YUM’s top colors.

 

"This transition aligns perfectly with our overall strategy for the YUM brand. By bringing these well-respected lures into the YUM family, we're strengthening our position in the market and providing anglers with a more comprehensive range of options," Warner said. "We understand that the Gene Larew brand holds a special place in the hearts of many anglers. We want to assure you that we're honoring that legacy by preserving the quality and performance of these classic lures."

Great Lakes Finesse Creates Ultimate Finesse Rods

 The team at Great Lakes Finesse often gets asked about rod recommendations for optimal performance with GLF Baits. That has been tough to answer, beyond recommending length, speed and action and describing some attributes, because they had not found perfect rods and had mostly leaned on custom builds. All that changes with the release of GLF Finesse CX Rods.

 

Created for the angler who wants the best tools in existence for presenting finesse baits and hooking and landing giant smallmouth bass, Finesse CX Rods are built to the GLF team’s highest standards for maximum sensitivity, extra-long casts, comfort and ideal combinations of length, power and action for finesse techniques.

 

Premium high-modulus carbon blanks are woven into an X pattern for maximum sensitivity, durability and crispness and left uncoated to reduce weight and eliminate glare for close-range fishing. One-piece, non-slip ergonomic carbon handles maximize sensitivity and comfort while minimizing weight. Durable matte black AT Microwave Air Guides allow for the longest possible casts and keep rod weight low.

 

Three spinning models of GLF Finesse CX Rods are available.

 

• FCX78ML – This 7-foot, 8-inch medium light, fast action rod is the longest casting and most parabolic in the line-up and ideal for finesse hair jigs, underspins, wacky rigs and Cindy rigs.
• FCX74ML – This 7-foot, 4-inch medium light, fast action rod can handle any finesse presentation and is the one to get if you can only have one!
• FCX78MH – This 7-foot, 8-inch medium heavy, extra-fast action rod is designed for bottom presentations like dragging a tube or Juvy Craw or fishing a heavy Ned rig or finesse jig and will allow you to connect with more fish and get them in the boat.

MSRP: 399.99

Minn Kota® Introduces Kayak Terrova: Effortless, Reliable Control for Your Kayak

 Minn Kota Expands Its Legacy of Boat Control with the All-New Kayak Terrova, Built for Precision and Performance.

Minn Kota®, a leader in trolling motor innovation for over 90 years, is bringing its proven technology to kayak anglers with the all-new Minn Kota Kayak Terrova. Designed to make boat control effortless and reliable, this motor puts advanced GPS navigation right at anglers' fingertips—so they can focus on fishing, not fighting the conditions. Built for kayak anglers who seek an improved on-water experience, the Kayak Terrova features Minn Kota’s most trusted GPS trolling system with Spot-Lock®, Autopilot™, Drift Mode, and much more—making boat positioning a breeze. The One-Boat Network® integration seamlessly links with Humminbird fish finders for real-time control, while the Digital Maximizer™ extends battery life so you can stay on the water longer. With an Extremely Durable Composite 36” Shaft, and a weedless prop, this motor is built to handle whatever the day throws at you. "The Kayak Terrova brings Minn Kota’s trusted innovation to the kayak fishing world, giving anglers an intuitive, easy way to stay on fish," said Hannah O’Connor, Brand Manager, Minn Kota. "Whether you're locking onto a spot, drifting with precision, or navigating hands-free, this motor is designed to help you fish smarter—not harder."

Key Features & Benefits: • Rugged 12V, 55 lb Thrust Motor with 36" Shaft – Powerful, reliable performance designed for optimal kayak control. • Advanced GPS Trolling System – Spot-Lock GPS Anchor, Autopilot, Drift Mode, and more for precise boat control. • Effortless Stow & Deploy – Smooth operation with a simple lever and Auto Park. • One-Boat Network Integration – Syncs with Humminbird fish finders for full system control. • Digital Maximizer™ – Extends battery life for up to five times longer run time. • Weedless Wedge™ 2 Prop – Cuts through vegetation efficiently. • Extremely Durable Composite Shaft – Built to last, guaranteed for life MSRP: $1,499.99

2025 New Jackall Riser Bait Sizing and Colours

 

Great Lakes Finesse Creates Ultimate Ned Head

New Neds from GLF

With the development of the Great Lakes Finesse Ned Bug came need for a matching head for Ned rigging, so GLF went to work engineering the ultimate head for this technique.

 

A primary consideration was the right hook for effective penetration and landing giant smallmouth bass. The GLF Ned Head is built on a Gamakatsu 604 hook, which offers ideal strength and sharpness, in No. 1 and 1/O sizes.

 

Everything about the GLF Ned Head’s design – from unique shaping with strategic contours to a keeper system that reduces the weight on the hook shank – facilitates easy upward posturing of the bait, which is a critical aspect of the technique.

 

Painted GLF Ned Heads have a rugged powder coat to withstand the rigors of dragging across rock and have clean line tie eyes to eliminate risk of compromising light line with paint powder chips.

 

The GLF Ned Head is available in 1/8-, 3/16- and 1/4-ounce sizes and in five colors: Matte Green Pumpkin, Matte Brown, Matte Black, Pearl White and Raw.

 

MSRP: $6.99

Easton Fothergill Wins the 2025 Bass Pro Shop Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour!

Canadians Cory Johnston 5th & Chris Johnston 9th

Easton dominates Classic. (Photo: Grant Moxley/BASS)

By Andrew Canulette

BASS Press Release 

FORT WORTH, Texas — Nineteen months ago, Easton Fothergill was lying on a gurney in an Alabama hospital, awaiting surgery to remove an infected abscess from his brain. Sunday afternoon, in front of thousands of fans at Dickies Arena, Fothergill stood tall as champion of the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under ArmourFothergill, a 22-year-old native of Grand Rapids, Minn., finished the three-day event on Lake Ray Roberts with a total of 15 bass for 76 pounds, 15 ounces. It was the biggest winning weight in the 55-year history of the most prestigious fishing tournament in the world and was exactly 8 1/2 pounds more than the nearest competitor in the field of 56 anglers. Fothergill is also the second-youngest champion in Bassmaster Classic history (only Stanley Mitchell who won the 1981 Classic at 21 was younger.) 

For most anglers, the Ray Scott Trophy and a $300,000 check are the biggest prizes to accompany a Classic victory. But for Fothergill, just being able to compete in the Classic was the ultimate prize. He said every feeling was heightened given his very real brush with mortality less than two years ago.

“It’s indescribable, the trajectory of my life since that first bad moment,” Fothergill said. “Everything has come true that I’ve ever wanted. It’s pretty crazy.”