Previewing the 2022 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Season
The upcoming Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by Fuel Me season is set to be an awesome one. With six regular-season events at fantastic fisheries, plus the Tackle Warehouse TITLE on the St. Lawrence River, it’s bound to be a great showcase of the best in the business. Plus, the field is fantastic; with reigning Angler of the Year Michael Neal, superstar John Cox on board for a full season and a pile of talented rookies joining the fray.
From double-digit largemouth potential to huge bags of smallmouth, this season will have it all. Kicking off in Texas (where everything is bigger), the season winds from Sam Rayburn to Florida, the Tennessee River, the James River and then on to smallmouth land for the summer. Some stops will be well-worn and familiar for the pros, like Rayburn and the Tennessee River. On the other hand, the James is a rare stop for MLF and ought to be a great challenge for many of the anglers.
This year, there are three notable changes for the Pro Circuit. The first is that MLF NOW! live coverage has been extended to all four days of the events. So, you’ll be able to watch Dicky Newberry and Nick LeBrun on Day 1 at Rayburn, and you won’t miss a second of the smallmouth action at Champlain. The second change is rules-based – now, on the final day, the Top 10 will start with zeroed weights. The leadup will be the same, with five fish and all the usual weigh-in pomp, but this year, the final day is the one that really matters. Finally, the reintroduction of Phoenix Boats MLF Fantasy Fishing Presented by Abu Garcia will give fans one more way to engage with the tournaments.
The following season preview has a little bit of everything to get you ready for 2021. Predictions, the field list and rookie profiles will get you set for what may happen and who to keep an eye on. Our in-depth lake previews are perfect reading to get ready for each event.
Here’s to a great 2022 season!
Sam Rayburn Reservoir – January 27-30
Presented by Ark Fishing
In recent years, Sam Rayburn has been a regular opener for the FLW Tour and the Pro Circuit. In 2019, Terry Bolton won in an epic slugfest when the lake was flooded. In 2020, Cox ground out a win cranking and fishing shallow bushes. This year could bring giant bags like we saw in the 2021 Toyota Series winter event, or, lower water and higher fishing pressure could have the pros headed for a grinder.
Harris Chain of Lakes – March 13-16
This year’s stop at the Harris Chain is a bit later than the norm, which ought to let the pros show the fishery off with no fear of foul weather. So, pack your flip flops and get ready for a shad spawn and postspawn slugfest on one of Florida’s most diverse fisheries.
Pickwick Lake – April 21-24
Presented by Covercraft
One of the most interesting hits on the schedule, pros should be able to fish Pickwick however they want. With bass spawning and postspawn, we could see ledge work, shad spawn action (remember Greg Hackney back in 2014?), and plenty of fish on beds. Cox should be in his element, and everything from a wacky rig to a big crankbait is likely to catch a bass.
Lake Guntersville – May 12-15
Presented by A.R.E.
Back in the day, there were some epic offshore beatdowns in FLW Tour events on the Tennessee River. This year, the Tennessee River swing takes place early in the season, with Stop 4 hitting Lake Guntersville before the summer truly arrives. So, while there could be some offshore fish to be caught, there’s a good chance we’ll get to see the pros duke it out shallow.
James River – June 16-19
Presented by PowerStop
One of the freshest venues the Pro Circuit has had on the schedule in quite some time, the James River is essentially new water to the entire field. Not only is it a tidal fishery, but it also is more than capable of turning out big bags of bass and kickers to boot. With tons of shallow cover to fish and a big playing field to tackle, this tournament will be a treat for fans to watch as pros break down new water loaded with bass.
Lake Champlain – July 29 – August 1
Can you think of a better way to end the regular season? Running south to north along the Vermont and New York border, Lake Champlain is a bass fishing gem. Loaded with smallmouths and largemouths, the big lake has an abundance of just about everything. Plus, the fish are pretty dumb, which makes it almost unfailingly fun to fish.
Tackle Warehouse TITLE – St. Lawrence River – August 16-21
Presented by Mercury
The championship of the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit, the Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury heads north for the third year in a row, this time to the smallmouth Mecca that is the St. Lawrence River. One of the best smallmouth fisheries in the world, the St. Lawrence drains the Great Lakes and is a challenging and unique body of water with a lot to offer the pros fishing the TITLE.
Be a Marshal!
How would you like to experience the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit on the water with the world’s top bass anglers fishing for the sport’s biggest payouts? Now’s your chance!
MLF has a limited number of Marshal opportunities available at each Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit qualifier and the TITLE. Register today for your chance to ride along with a pro and learn about locating and catching big bass while they are fishing for a $135,000 payday. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for serious anglers, and it’s only available to MLF members and subscribers.
As a Marshal, you will be treated to a seminar with Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit anglers, plus you’ll get behind-the-scenes access throughout the event. You will also receive an exclusive MLF Marshal jersey and play a vital role in live coverage of the tournament by verifying your pro’s catch and relaying information to MLF editors. You won’t be fishing, but you’ll be in the middle of the action. It’s a VIP experience like no other, all for only $100 per regular season tournament and $200 for the TITLE. Register for as many as you like. If you are not confirmed, you will receive a full refund.
As an added bonus, for no additional fee, you will be eligible to win as much as $2,500 at every tournament AND a Jackson Kayak Mayfly, Orion Cooler, Duckett reels, and Champions Club bait pack prize package valued at $5,000 that will be given away to one lucky Marshal at the end of the season.* You’ll receive one entry in the Jackson Kayak prize pack giveaway for each opening round completed. You can earn bonus entries by marshaling on Day 3.