This past weekend, TFO ambassador Max Moneuse of Parrish, Florida, caught a five-bass limit weighing 21 pounds, 9 ounces Saturday to win a Major League Fishing tournament, the Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Toho. Moneuse earned $4,729 for his victory, and it was his first major bass tournament win.
“I made a long run to the south end of the chain of Kissimmee and decided to flip a Gambler Fat Ace Stick Worm around where fish could be spawning,” Moneuse said. “During practice, I could put the trolling motor in the water, put the batteries to the test, and cover ground. I fished an area that tends to be a spot that can be good when it has the early spawners.”
Moneuse found success using the 7-foot, 5-inch medium heavy plus TFO Taction Bass Series casting rod (TB C 755-1) rigged with a stick worm paired with a 3/16-ounce Epic Baits Tungsten Worm Weight and a 6/0 BKK hook. This setup helped Max land for 20 fish – all keepers during the tournament.
“I feel that the Taction Bass 7’5″ MH+, allows me to cast a 3/16oz weighed worm with more accuracy at the isolated targets or holes I thought fish would be spawning on/in compared to a heavier tipped rod and still have the backbone to get larger fish away or out of the cover. A lighter presentation was one of the reasons I got the bigger bites. It also allowed for added sensitivity when dragging a worm through open spawning areas and being able to feel when my worm had fallen into the spawning beds.”
Although Max found some nice fish, Moneuse found quality fish; he didn’t think he had what he needed heading into weigh-in. “I honestly didn’t think I had a shot at winning until I got in and saw 16 pounds was leading,” Moneuse said. “The Kissimmee Chain has all those great anglers out there. It’s hard to imagine you’re going to win with a weight in the low 20s on that body of water.
“I told my co-angler I thought my weight was good enough for a top-5 finish and a piece of hardware, but I didn’t think low 20s would win it,” Moneuse said. “This is pretty awesome. I put a lot of work and time into preparing for any tournament, so getting the chance to win and hold the big trophy is awesome.”
Way to go, Max!
