THE BASS FEDERATION
“ I switched up my bait to a Big Mouth Lures Eastern Shore buzzbait – a bait I have a lot of success with back home in Delaware . I caught three fish really quickly and had a limit by the time I fished down the whole stretch of hyacinth I was working . Lucky for me , it was enough to get me the win .”
Morris earned a $ 20,000 check , a brand-new Ranger Z520 boat and up to $ 5,000 in paid entry fees to events of his choosing . In addition , he ’ ll get a travel stipend to help offset the cost to fish those events , a LYD clothing package , a berth into the 2021 BFL All-American , a berth into the 2021 Toyota Series Championship and a guaranteed spot in the 2022 Pro Circuit if he wants it – and more .
Needless to say , Morris will have some options for how he ’ s going to live his bass fishing dream in 2021 .
“ I ’ ve never been in this position before , so I really don ’ t know what I ’ m going to do yet , but it sure is awesome to have some options in front of me ,” Morris said . “ I appreciate TBF and MLF so much for this amazing opportunity and for giving me a chance to continue doing what I love , and that ’ s bass fishing .”
NO PLACE LIKE HOME FOR CO-ANGLER JOSHUA MOORE
While it was Morris ’ first time in Shreveport , co-angler National Champion Joshua Moore considers the stretch of the Red River where the tournament was held his home body of water .
“ I fished all over the place during practice and the actual tournament , but I always felt confident wherever we were at ,” the Louisiana native said . “ I was able to sleep in my own bed every night and fish areas I knew well . I think that gave me an advantage for sure .”
Moore brought in 11-6 on Day 1 and 10-11 on Day 2 , putting him in second place and 1-13 behind the leader , Scott Neiheisel . Moore was able to put another limit in the boat , his biggest of the weekend with 14-5 thanks to a change in bait and strategy .
“ My main goal was to just find those spawning fish ,” Moore explained . “ The whole week I focused on the bank with spinnerbaits and Senkos . The last day , when I had my best day , I noticed that the fish were keyed-in on stumps . I started flipping a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver and that ’ s how I caught them all .”
The Louisiana co-angler walks away with $ 20,000 in cash , a $ 2,500 entry-fee stipend , a travel stipend , a MinnKota trolling motor , two Lowrance units , a Power-Pole certificate , a $ 500 Bass Pro Shops / Cabela ’ s gift card and a LYD clothing package . Moore also grabbed an automatic berth into the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American and the Toyota Series Championship as a co-angler .
All those prizes give Moore a great chance to live out his fishing dream .
“ I stopped fishing in tournaments for about four years because I had to sell my boat ,” Moore said . “ Now , with this package , I ’ m fixing to order me a new boat so I ’ ll be able to be a boater when the National Championship
2021 TBF National Championship winning co-angler Joshua Moore . rolls around next year . I know God has a plan for me , and I can ’ t wait to see what it is .”
92 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | APRIL-MAY 2021