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Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour
Starts Friday on Lake Okeechobee:
Favorite Fishing Stage Two presented by Bass Cat
showcases 80 of the Best Pro Anglers in the World Okeechobee, Fla.- Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour moves to Lake Okeechobee (Fla.) this week for the Favorite Fishing Stage Two presented by Bass Cat. Competition begins Friday, Feb. 21 and continues through the Championship Round, Wednesday, Feb. 26. The Bass Pro Tour features 80 of the best pro anglers in the world, including recent Stage-winner Jacob Wheeler, Florida residents Bobby Lane and Randall Tharp, and previous “Big O” winners Brett Hite and Timmy Horton. Fans can meet anglers daily at 4-5 p.m. at the ramp during the MLFNOW! show, “General Tire Takeout” as well as the during weekend appearances at the Port St. Lucie Bass Pro Shop.
A regular stop for professional-level bass tournaments, many MLF Pros have found previous success on Lake Okeechobee, including Phoenix Boats Pro Randall Tharp. Among the 11 titles to his name, Tharp won the 2012 FLW Tour Open event on Lake Okeechobee and told MLF that he’s looking forward to returning under the MLF format.
“Late February is my favorite time of year to be (on Lake Okeechobee) because you will have fish in all three stages of spawn,” said Tharp, who added that bass spawn as early as November and wrap up in April. “We will be right in the middle of their spawning cycle, and that’s the perfect time of year to be here.”
Major League Fishing showcases the fishery and the region through their award-winning, live and linear programming. Each Stage of the Bass Pro Tour is broadcast live on the Major League Fishing app, MyOutdoorTV (MOTV), and majorleaguefishing.com, totaling more than 54 hours of original programming for Lake Okeechobee.
“MLF offers the strongest broadcast presence in the industry to destinations, fans, and sponsors,” said Jim Wilburn, President and CEO of Major League Fishing. “Lake Okeechobee has a history of big bass and our fast-paced, fan-friendly, catch-weigh-immediately-release format offers the opportunity to showcase Lake Okeechobee, while conserving the fishery for all.”
Okeechobee County Tourism Development Office, which serves the northern most edge of the lake, welcomes many fishing tournaments to these shores but looks especially forward to the exposure Major League Fishing offers their destination.
“We’re always excited to host fishing tournaments,” said Sharie Turgeon, Tourism Coordinator for Okeechobee County. “With the MLF format, the action will be on the lake and (viewers) will be able to experience the lake with the Pros - seeing how beautiful our lake is for themselves.”
Major League Fishing in partnership with Abu Garcia, Berkley, and Bass Pro Shops will host an MLF Pro meet-n-greet over the weekend of the competition, Friday, Feb 21 – Sunday, Feb 23, at the Port St. Lucie Bass Pro Shops (2240 Gatlin Boulevard, Bedford Park, Port St. Lucie, Fla. 34953). Fans can meet their favorite MLF Pros, register to win prizes, get tips on the latest gear, and take advantage of deals on the latest gear from Berkley.
The appearance schedule is as follows:
Friday, Feb. 21 from 5-7 p.m. ET
Josh Bertrand, Scott Suggs, Andy Montgomery, Aaron Martens, Anthony Gagliardi, Randy Howell and more!
Saturday, Feb. 22 at 1-3 p.m. ET
Kevin VanDam, Justin Lucas, Keith Poche, Brett Hite, David Walker, Bradley Roy and more!
Saturday, Feb. 22 at 3-5 p.m. ET
Edwin Evers, Bobby Lane, Mike McClelland, Jonathon VanDam, Cody Meyer, Jason Christie and more!
Sunday, Feb. 23 from 2-4 p.m. ET
Jordan Lee, Gary Klein, Jeff Kriet, Timmy Horton, Terry Scroggins, Shin Fukae and more!
About the Bass Pro Tour:
The Bass Pro Tour began in 2019 and features 80 of the best professional anglers in the world, including Kevin VanDam, Edwin Evers, Aaron Martens, Mike Iaconelli, Jordan Lee, and Skeet Reese. Each stage includes six days of competition using the Major League Fishing, catch-weigh-and-immediately-release format, where every bass over a variable minimum weight toward a cumulative weight total for the day. Variable minimum weights are determined by fishery, akin to a golf course handicap. The field of 80 anglers is divided into two groups of 40 to compete on days one and two respectively for the Shotgun Round. On days three and four, the Elimination Round culls the field based on a combined 2-day total weight from each angler’s Shotgun and Elimination Round. The top 20 anglers from each group in the Elimination Round (40 total) advance to the Knockout Round on day five, which determines who will compete on that final day, the Championship Round, for the Stage title and $100,000.
Each of Eight Stages of the Bass Pro Tour have the following payout schedule: 1st $100,000; 2nd $42,000; 3rd $30,000; 4th$24,000; 5th $18,000; 6th $16,800; 7th $15,600; 8th $14,400; 9th $13,200; 10th $12,000; 11th – 40th $6,000; Berkley Big Bass $2,000 per event.
About Major League Fishing
Founded in 2011, Major League Fishing (MLF) brings the high-intensity sport of competitive bass fishing into America’s living rooms on Outdoor Channel, Discovery, CBS, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, Sportsman Channel, and on-demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). The Bass Pro Tour consists of eight events and a championship streamed live on www.MajorLeagueFishing.com and MOTV.
In late 2019 MLF acquired FLW, which expands their portfolio to include the world’s largest grassroots fishing organization, including the strongest five-fish format professional bass fishing tour, the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit, as well as the Toyota Series, Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine, and Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI, and High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing.
For more information on the league and anglers, visit www.MajorLeagueFishing.com and follow MLF on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Press Contacts:
Tricia Milford
Major League Fishing
tmilford@majorleaguefishing.com
Mobile 407-928-9868
Charity Muehlenweg
Major League Fishing
charitym@majorleaguefishing.com
Mobile 405-694-1025
Credentialed members of the media are welcome to request a credential and interviews by completing this MLF Credential Request Form.
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MEDIA FACT SHEET
Daily Event Schedule:
| Date | Time | Description |
| Daily Friday, Feb. 21 – Wednesday, Feb. 26 |
6:30 – 7:30 a.m. ET | Ramp Arrival Interviews available with MLF Pro Anglers and League executives; Advance booking required. |
| 7:15 a.m. ET | National Anthem as sung by MLF Staffer Charity Muehlenweg |
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| 7:30 a.m. ET | “Blast Off” Boats driven by MLF Pros depart ramp area for their first fishing spot |
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| 8 a.m. ET | Lines in, Period One Begins | |
| 10:30 a.m. ET | Lines out, Period One Ends | |
| 10:45 a.m. ET | Lines in, Period Two begins | |
| 1:15 p.m. ET | Lines out, Period Two ends | |
| 1:30 p.m. ET | Lines in, Period Three begins | |
| 4 p.m. ET | Lines out, Period Three and Day ends | |
| 4 – 5 p.m. ET | Boats return to the Ramp | |
| 4 – 5 p.m. ET | MLF films the “General Tire Takeout” live as Pros return to the ramp Interviews available with MLF Pro Anglers and League executives; Advance booking required. |
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| 5 p.m. ET | Daily highlights PR released To receive this daily recap, please complete the media request form. |
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| Wednesday, Feb. 26 | 5 p.m. ET | Trophy Presentation The Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Two presented by Bass Cat Champion |
| 5 – 6 p.m. ET | Interviews available with the Championship Field, including the winner; advance booking required |
Credentialed members of the media are welcome to request a credential and interviews by completing this MLF Credential Request Form.
Competition Format:
Members of the media have many opportunities to interview MLF Pros throughout the tournament. The field of 80 anglers is divided into two groups (A and B) for each Stage. To schedule an interview, please contact: Tricia Milford, tmilford@majorleaguefishing.com, 407-928-9868.
Friday, Day One:
Saturday, Day Two:
Sunday, Day Three:
Monday, Day Four:
Tuesday, Day Five:
Wednesday, Day Six:
Credentialed members of the media are welcome to request a credential and interviews by completing this MLF Credential Request Form.
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