As the dog days of summer roll in, it's not just the temperatures rising—our seven TeamGT fishing anglers are also turning up the heat! They're making their moves to qualify for REDCREST 2025, with one angler eyeing the prestigious Angler of the Year trophy. Before they tackle Stage Seven on the St. Lawrence River, let's rewind and revisit some electrifying highlights from the 2024 Major League Fishing season so far.
Kicking Off Strong: Stage One on Toledo Bend
TeamGT Big Bass: Edwin Evers, Qualifying – Day 1, 7lb 12oz.
Alton Jones Jr. ignited the season with a fiery 7th place finish at Stage One on Toledo Bend. Not far behind, Ott Defoe and Edwin Evers secured solid spots above the money line, landing 17th and 21st respectively. The team's early conditioning and heated #GTCastBattle primed them for the challenges ahead.
Edwin Evers, Stage One, Toledo Bend
Dominating Santee Cooper: Stage Two
TeamGT Big Bass: Britt Myers, Qualifying – Day 1, 8lb 03oz.
Stage Two at Santee Cooper saw a phenomenal performance from TeamGT. Alton Jones Jr., Edwin Evers, Mark Rose, and Ott Defoe all finished above the money line, showcasing their newfound skill of casting uphill. If you haven't seen the #GTCastBattle, check it out on our Instagram page for some incredible displays of casting accuracy!
Alton Jones Jr, Stage Two, Santee Cooper
REDCREST 2024: The Pinnacle of Bass Fishing
TeamGT Big Bass: Alton Jones Jr., Championship Round, 4lb 05oz
As spring approached, the top 50 anglers from 2023 gathered at Lay Lake, just outside Birmingham, Alabama, for REDCREST 2024. Winning the REDCREST trophy is a bucket list item for all anglers, and this year, TeamGT was well represented by Alton Jones Jr., Ott Defoe, Mark Rose, Edwin Evers, and Andy Montgomery. Despite Alton Jones Jr.'s impressive efforts, including catching 19 bass totaling 52 pounds, he finished second to Dustin Connell. Nonetheless, the team's camaraderie shone through, and they each bagged $5,000 for their efforts.
“It is the pinnacle of our sport and is a title that we as anglers only get so many chances at. Becoming a REDCREST champion solidifies your name in the history of our sport”
-Alton Jones Jr.
Andy Montgomery, Ott Defoe and Edwin Evers entertain the fans at REDCREST
Triumph at Dale Hollow: Stage Three
TeamGT Big Bass: Britt Myers, Knockout Round, 5lb 03oz
With REDCREST behind them, TeamGT headed north to Dale Hollow Lake in Byrdstown, TN, for Stage Three. Alton Jones Jr. extended his record-breaking knockout streak with a 5th place on Dale Hollow. Strong showings from Britt Myers (12th), Ott Defoe (20th), and Skeet Reese (37th) highlighted the team's resilience and skill.
Momentum at Lake Eufaula: Stage Four
TeamGT Big Bass: Ott Defoe, Qualifying – Day 1, 5lb 09oz.
Late April saw TeamGT competing at Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma for Stage Four. Skeet Reese led the charge, finishing 3rd, with Britt Myers and Alton Jones Jr. also performing well, securing 10th and 11th places respectively.
Britt Myers, Stage Four, Lake Eufaula
Heavy Hitters in Kissimmee: The Big Bass Battle
TeamGT Big Bass: Mark Rose, Qualifying – Day 2, 7lb 09oz.
The General Tire Heavy Hitters tournament in Kissimmee, FL, added an exciting twist to the season. This event focuses on catching the biggest lunkers, and six of the seven TeamGT anglers qualified to compete. Despite the variety of fishing methods and intense competition, the team finished strong, with Alton Jones Jr. leading the pack at 10th place.
“General Tire Heavy Hitters adds a unique and dynamic twist to the season. Aside from tracking who is in the AOY race, you know who to look out for when Heavy Hitters rolls around. Making sure you catch a few big ones at each tournament adds another layer to your strategy for the year” -Edwin Evers.
Ott Defoe, Heavy Hitters, Kissimmee Chain
Navigating New Waters: Stage Five on the Chowan River
TeamGT Big Bass: Alton Jones Jr., Knockout Round, 6lb 10oz
Stage Five took TeamGT to the unfamiliar waters of the Chowan River in Edenton, NC. Alton Jones Jr. and Ott Defoe cracked the top 10, finishing 6th and 10th respectively. Skeet Reese, Andy Montgomery, and Edwin Evers also secured spots within the top 40, earning crucial Angler of The Year points.
A Birthday Victory on the James River: Stage Six
TeamGT Big Bass: Britt Myers, Qualifying – Day 1, 5lb 01oz.
Skeet Reese celebrated his 55th birthday in spectacular fashion by winning Stage Six on the James River, capturing 23 scorable bass for a total of 54 pounds, 3 ounces on Championship Day. His 12th career victory was a highlight of the season, with strong finishes from Andy Montgomery (9th), Edwin Evers (14th), Alton Jones Jr. (16th), and Ott Defoe (35th).
Skeet Reese, Stage Six, James River
Looking Ahead: Stage Seven on the St. Lawrence River
With the highs and lows of 2024 behind them, TeamGT is now focused on the St. Lawrence River in Massena, NY. Will Alton Jones Jr. leapfrog Jacob Wheeler for the Angler of the Year crown? Or will Skeet Reese continue his hot streak and add another trophy to his collection? Catch all the Stage seven action on majorleaguefishing.com starting August 6th. One thing is certain: TeamGT will deLIVEr their best on the St. Lawrence.
Current Angler of the Year Standings for TeamGT:
1. Alton Jones Jr. (2nd)
2. Ott Defoe (11th)
3. Skeet Reese (25th)
4. Edwin Evers (31st)
5. Britt Myers (50th)
6. Andy Montgomery (61st)
7. Mark Rose (62nd)
To learn more about the TeamGT Fishing anglers, visit teamgtfishing.com. For more information on Major League Fishing, visit majorleaguefishing.com.
#TeamGTFishing #GTdeLIVErs
