Josh Butler wins the 2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Logan Martin Lake presented by SEVIIN with 49 pounds.

By David A. Brown,
BASS Press Release

LINCOLN, Ala. — Josh Butler played the long game and, despite some midpoint frustrations, he executed that strategy to near perfection.
Committing to his plan, the Hayden, Ala., pro claimed a wire-to-wire victory with a three-day total of 49 pounds in the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Logan Martin Lake.
“The Lord just blessed me,” Butler said. “When it’s your time, it’s your time.”
Butler, who recently left another trail to pursue Bassmaster Elite Series qualification and earn a berth in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors checked the latter box and moved closer to the former with this week’s performance.
Taking the top spot with a Day 1 limit of 19-7 — the event’s heaviest bag — Butler anchored that catch with a massive largemouth that went 7-13.
“That was a game-changer,” Butler said. “That fish was probably the reason I won.”

2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Logan Martin Lake presented by SEVIIN Day 1: Josh Butler Scores Lead!

Big bag moves Butler into Day 1 lead

Josh Butler takes the Day 1 lead at the 2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Logan Martin Lake presented by SEVIIN with 19 pounds, 7 ounces. (Photo: Crawford/BASS)

By David A. Brown

BASS Press Release

On a day when quality was hard to come by, Josh Butler’s early bonus quickly put him on course to sacking up a five-bass limit of 19 pounds, 7 ounces and leading Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Logan Martin Lake presented by SEVIIN.

Anchoring his bag with an absolute Coosa River tank that went 7-13, the pro from Hayden, Ala., heads into Day 2 with a lead of 3-9 over Georgia pro Emil Wagner.

“That’s the biggest one, by far, that I’ve ever caught here,” Butler said of his kicker. “I’ve caught fives and sixes, but never one nearly that big. The Lord blessed me today.”

Capitalizing on the seasonal day-maker known as the shad spawn, Butler started his day with a couple of small keepers. Adding one around 2 1/2, his big fish was No. 4.

Butler said he hit a few different areas for his shad spawn bites and caught all of those early fish on a spinnerbait with a particular design the fish clearly found appealing.

DAIWA: The Tiniest of TATULA's

DAIWA adds a second Bait Finesse baitcaster – new TATULA BF70 – to its expanding collection.

 

Rather suddenly, “Downsizing” and “fishing small” have new meaning, particularly in the global world of bass fishing. “Bait Finesse” is the latest rage in the pursuit of largemouth and smallmouth bass. And, to no surprise, DAIWA is on the forefront tendering two new reels specific to these micro-fishing techniques: the recently unveiled PX BF70 and now its sister baitcaster, the TATULA BF70. 

The baseline for Bait Finesse (BF) is presenting smaller, more natural baits with the same authority achieved via their larger counterparts. To do so requires the downsizing of gear without sacrificing performance. And that necessitates specialized baitcasting gear.

DAIWA Marketing Manager calls BF “ninja fishing,” the technique employed by bright-minded “bank beaters” who ply small lakes, ponds, streams, and canals. It’s about traveling light with technical and tactical gear to target often pressured fish in tight confines. 

Casts are short, fired with GPS-guided missile accuracy. Adding to the challenge is the lightness of the lures. We’re talking one- and two-inch crankbaits, hair jigs, inline spinners, lightly weighted plastics and the like.

To achieve this level of control, DAIWA injected exceptional technologies into a fantastically lightweight, palmable baitcasting reel. Mills said DAIWA eliminated as much weight as possible while maintaining outstanding performance.

STATS BELOW

Your Chance to Win Kevin VanDam's Boat

 

Your Chance to Win Kevin VanDam's Boat

It’s your turn to take the wheel from the best bass angler ever. KVD’s Nitro® Z21 XL Pro was his final competition bass boat — his signature setup with signature technology from Minn Kota® and Humminbird®.   How & Where to Enter: Method 1 - Form Entry (limit 1 entry per person): Enter Here Method 2 - Enter on Instagram: Enter Here Follow the instructions on our pinned VanDam Victory Lap Post and stay tuned for final opportunities to enter on Instagram on May 16th. Method 3 - Post a Photo on Instagram Post a photo of yourself with a Minn Kota or Humminbird logo or product on Instagram with #KVDVictoryLap and tag both brands (limit 1 post per day, March 14 – June 2, 2024) LINK HERE

Abu Garcia Zenon LTX BFS Reel and BFS Spinning and Casting Rods

 

Abu Garcia’s improvement to the Bait Finesse Systems (BFS) craze Avid anglers are always eager to hop on new trends to improve their skill set. Recently, anglers have jumped on the bandwagon of a new trend in fishing tackle called Bait Finesse Systems (BFS). For Abu Garcia, it is imperative to have a rod and reel solution for every angler looking to Fish to Win. To improve the experience and performance of utilizing BFS style baits, Abu Garcia introduces the Zenon BFS casting reel to pair with all new Zenon BFS spinning and casting rods. Bait finesse is a specialized technique that started in the Japanese market and is quickly making its way to the shores of North America as new finesse techniques become more popular. BFS reels in particular allow for a low-profile set up that is able to throw very lightweight baits. This is specifically effective for highly pressured fish or when anglers need to throw baits that are ⅛-ounce or lighter and want to do so on casting gear. The new Zenon BFS reels have been purposefully designed to give anglers the right tool for the job, regardless of any lightweight technique.  Adding three models of BFS rods to the Abu Garcia Zenon rod series, these rods feature premium carbon blanks with Abu Garcia’s exclusive Powerlux 100 resin system. This enables the rods to deliver powerful ultra-light sensitive blanks with higher break strengths and improved impact and fracture resistance without increasing the overall weight or diameter of the rod. The BFS models feature the perfect power and action to throw super lightweight baits, expanding an angler's set of tools for lighter techniques. In addition, the Abu Garcia custom designed reel seat delivers hypersensitivity around the exposed blank sections and improves comfort for fishing all day long. Abu Garcia Zenon LTX BFS Casting Reel – KEY FEATURES Ultra shallow, super lightweight spool Tuned magnetic brake system Compact A-SYM designed reel HPCR 9+1 bearing system Lightweight carbon handle Available in two gear ratios: 8.3:1 for small jigs, small plastics, Ned (Pair with rod model: ZENBFC71-5) 6.8:1 for spy baits, small cranks, hair jigs (Pair with rod model: ZENBFCW71-4) MSRP: $549.95 Abu Garcia Zenon BFS Casting and Spinning Rods – KEY FEATURES Abu’s most sensitive rod with Powerlux 1000  Carbon split grip design for reduced weight and increased sensitivity ROCS (Robotically Optimized Casting System) guide train for maximized casting distance with lighter lures Titanium alloy guides with super thin zirconia inserts allow for a lightweight balanced rod Fuji reel seat for greater comfort Fuji hook keeper folds down to prevent line tangle and adapts to any position on the rod Limited 5-year warranty MSRP: $449.95

Cory Johnston Wins 2024 MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River; Brother Chris Finishes 5th!

With a four-day total of 93 pounds, 6 ounces, Cory Johnston takes the title in dominant fashion at the MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River.

By David A. Brown

BASS PRESS Release

PALATKA, Fla. — Cory Johnston fished a full tournament.

But with all due respect to nine other talented and worthy Top 10 competitors, he could’ve slept in the final day and still won the MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River.

A four-day total of 93 pounds, 6 ounces gave the pro from Otonabee, Canada, a winning margin of 21-2 over Texan Brad Whatley. But Johnston’s Day 3 total — 73-13 — would have edged Whatley’s tournament total of 72-4 by 1-9.

“Everyone who fishes these tournaments dreams of winning one of these blue trophies,” said Johnston, who took home the $101,000 top prize. “I don’t know what to say; it was just one of those weeks that was absolutely incredible.

“People say, ‘When it’s your time, it’s your time.’ This week, I couldn’t do anything wrong.”

2024 MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River Day 3: Cory Johnston Take 14 Pound Lead into Final Day!

Canadians Chris Johnston 3rd, Gallant 31st & Gustafson 101st. 

By David A. Brown

BASS PRESS Release

PALATKA, Fla. — With less competition, but more company, Cory Johnston leveraged late-day heroics to extend his lead on Day 3 of the MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River.

Bolstering his first two days’ weights of 23-3 and 27-8, the seasoned pro from Otonabee, Canada, added a Semifinal Saturday limit of 23-2 to tally 73-13 and hold on to the lead he set on Day 2.

“It’s been an incredible week, but it’s one of those things — if it’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen,” Johnston said. “The past two days, I caught a big one on the last cast. We’re just going to go out tomorrow, go fishing and see what happens.”

Leading Texan Brad Whatley by 14 pounds, Johnston spent his day looking for bed fish in Salt Springs, which runs off the northwest side of Lake George. He had far fewer competitors in the area, but with weekend pleasure boaters packing into this popular area, he had to account for more noise and habitat disturbance.

“They stir the water up a little bit, but you just keep looking and looking and looking and eventually you come across them,” Johnston said.

2024 MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River Day 2: Cory Johnston Vaults into Lead!

Canadians Chris Johnston 4th, Gallant 27th & Gustafson 101st. 

By David A. Brown

BASS PRESS Release

PALATKA, Fla. — Cory Johnston knew he was playing a high-stakes game, but the Canadian pro believed the potential payoff justified his day’s commitment.

Cashing in on his gamble, Johnston sacked up a five-bass limit of 27 pounds, 8 ounces to lead Day 2 of the MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River.

After placing second on Day 1 with 23-3, Johnston now has a two-day mark of 50-11. The only competitor to break 20 pounds the first two days, Johnston heads into Semifinal Saturday with a lead of 11-9 over North Carolina’s Matt Arey.

Repeating his Day 1 strategy of targeting bed fish in Salt Springs, which runs off the northwest side of Lake George, Johnston described the requisite plodding pace.

“It takes a lot of patience; it’s not like it’s fast and furious,” he said. “You fish all day and it’s one of those high-risk, high-reward things.

“I went probably three hours midday without catching a fish. It was a lot of looking at them and trying to see which fish are going to bite. Sometimes, you waste an hour on one and it never even bites.”

Well-schooled in the ways of bed fish, Johnston said he expected nothing less. Several fish pushed him to the limit of exasperation, but persistence proved to be his best tool.

2024 MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River Day 1: Caleb Sumrall Scores Lead; Cory Johnston 2nd!

Canadians Cory Johnston 2th, Gallant 19th, Chris Johnston 23rd & Gustafson 100th 

By David A. Brown

BASS PRESS Release

PALATKA, Fla. — A little bit of water can make big things happen. Leveraging that logic, Caleb Sumrall sacked up a massive Day 1 limit of 28 pounds, 8 ounces to lead the MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River.

“That was the best day of fishing in my life,” the pro from New Iberia, La., said. “I’m trying not to get too excited because I don’t know what’s left on my spot.”

Leading Cory Johnston of Otonabee, Canada, by 5-5, Sumrall said he fished in Salt Springs and focused on sight fishing for bedding bass. Notably, Sumrall had not initially intended to fish this area, largely due to his take-off order.