JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – One of the best parts of the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American Presented by T-H Marine is that it isn’t the end of the road. Though qualifying for and fishing the long-running grassroots championships is the only goal for some, doing well in it can send you on to greater heights. So, this week at Cherokee, the top finishers also secured qualification to the Toyota Series Championship this fall on Wheeler Lake, and winner Paul Marks Jr. locked up a spot in REDCREST 2025 on Lake Guntersville.
Tops on the boater side
The top finisher from each regional (and the Wild Card and TBF National Championship) at the All-American moves on to fish as a boater in the Toyota Series Championship. Considering the event, it is a pretty huge deal, as the Toyota Series Championship is no-entry-fee and can pay out well over $200,000 to the winner with the right contingencies in place.
Here’s who made it from each qualifying route:
- Region 1: Ian Leybas, McAlester, Okla., ninth
- Region 2: Brett Carnright, Plattsburgh, N.Y., sixth
- Region 3: Dillon Falardeau, Hixson, Tenn., third
- Region 4: Paul Marks Jr., Cumming, Ga., first
- Region 5: Mike Feldermann, Galena, Ill., eighth
- Region 6: Matt O’Connell, Brooks, Ga., second
- TBF: Pete Saele, New Lenox, Ill., 10th
- Wild Card: Buddy Benson, Dahlonega, Ga., fourth
Boaters also rake in Phoenix money
In addition to their regular winnings, the following boaters also took home Phoenix MLF Bonus money.
1. Paul Marks Jr. – $20,000 Phoenix Bonus
4. Buddy Benson – $7,000 Phoenix Bonus
5. Lucas Murphy – $5,000 Phoenix Bonus
6. Brett Carnright – $2,000 Phoenix Bonus
7. Jason Barnes – $1,000 Phoenix Bonus
Strike King co-anglers move on as well
Just like for the boaters, the best-finishing Strike King co-anglers from each qualification path move on to the Toyota Series Championship. There, co-anglers will fish for a $33,500 Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat powered by a 115 HP Mercury or Suzuki.
Here are the lucky co-anglers moving on:
- Region 1: Caleb Welch, Bolivar, Mo., second
- Region 2: Stacy Metz, Staley, N.C., 13th
- Region 3: Stephen Vick, Dandridge, Tenn., 16th
- Region 4: Tyler Nekolny, Coral Springs, Fla., sixth
- Region 5: Justin Parchman, Oologah, Okla., first
- Region 6 Rodney Tapp, Inman, S.C., third
- TBF: Terry Laverack, Martin, S.D., ninth
- Wild Card: Justin McGaha, Knoxville, Tenn., fourth
Marks wins big
As far as individual awards go, Marks maximized his win. In addition to earning a spot in the Toyota Series Championship and REDCREST, MLF’s top championship, he banked more than $100,000 for three days of fishing. Earning an even $100,000 for the win, he added $20,000 thanks to his choice of a Phoenix boat and participation in the Phoenix MLF Bonus program.
If you want to be a part of the next All-American, there’s still time to start the process now. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in each division make the regional, and tournament winners also qualify for the regional, which means there are still quite a few ways to earn a spot in next year’s championship. Take a look at the schedule, and sign up today!