James River Set to Host Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Tournament
Richmond, Virginia, Set to Host 200 Boaters and Co-anglers from Four BFL Divisions Competing for Spot in 2023 All-American, $60,000
RICHMOND, Va. – The Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine’s Northeast, Shenandoah, Buckeye and North Carolina divisions will finish out their 2022 season in Richmond, Virginia, Oct. 20-22, with the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Presented by T-H Marine at the James River.
Hosted by Richmond Region Tourism, the three-day regional tournament will feature the top 45 boaters and co-anglers plus tournament winners from all four divisions, battling it out for a top prize of $60,000, including a Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, along with lucrative contingency awards, including up to an additional $7,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus. Strike King co-anglers will compete for a top prize of $50,000, including a Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard. Winners will be determined by the heaviest three-day catch.
The highest finishing boater from each division will also receive a $1,000 bonus and the highest finishing co-angler from each division will receive a $500 bonus.
“The James River is one of the best bass fisheries in the country in the fall,” said pro Martin Villa of Charlottesville, Virginia, who finished in ninth place when the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit visited the James River in June. “This time of year, you can fish any way that you want to and catch them.
“One thing that is a little worrisome is that it’s hurricane season,” Villa said. “If there is a storm anywhere near the coast, it can drastically change the fishery. But there is fish on the main river, and there is fish in every creek. It’s going to be a fun event – I wish I was fishing in it.”
Villa mentioned numerous different baits that would be in play, including swimjigs, creature baits, drop-shot rigs and crankbaits.
“I think whomever finds the crankbait fish will win,” Villa said. “To make it to the third and final day, you’re going to have to have 15 pounds a day. I think 17 pounds a day – around 52 pounds total – will win this event. All depending on the weather, of course.”
Anglers will launch at 7 a.m. ET each morning from the Osborne Landing, located at 9530 Osborne Turnpike, in Richmond. Weigh-ins will also be held at the landing and will begin at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the action online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 2022 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine consisted of 24-divisions devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season and five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, advance to one of six Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regionals.
The top six finishers in each regional will qualify for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American. Dates and location for the 2023 All-American will be announced soon.
The top boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the Toyota Series, the pathway to the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals and ultimately the Bass Pro Tour.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, AFTCO, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Revital Outdoors, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X, YETI and Yo-Zuri.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.