Michiana’s Bo Thomas Proves He’s for Real in Tough Bassmaster Opens

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Published: 26 June 2024

By Louie Stout

Bo Thomas of Edwardsburg, Mich. - 5th Place

Bo Thomas proved again that he’s becoming a serious threat on the Bassmaster Open Tournament Trail with a fifth place finish at Lake Eufaula, OK. over the weekend.

It marked the second time he finished in the top five of a very tough and talented Bassmaster Open field that includes nearly 200 anglers. He finished fourth last year at the St. Lawrence River.

Thomas was at home resting in Edwardsburg Monday when he reflected upon his near-win in Oklahoma. He was in second place going into the last day but couldn’t get the big bites he needed to lock up the win that would have guaranteed him a spot in next winter’s Bassmaster Classic.

Three hours of Saturday’s morning competition was televised live on Fox Sports 1 and Thomas got a lot of that air time. Unlike a lot of young anglers in the opens, he handled it like a true professional.

“I wasn’t nervous at all,” he said. “I just stayed true to who I am.”

He was fishing a deep point in a creek near the Eufaula dam where the bottom was strewn with rocks, stumps and trees. He fished the same area for most of three days, catching bags of 15-8, 19-0 and 11-10.

His Garmin Livescope played a role but says he wasn’t “scoping” bass.

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Huge Kicker Pushes Fothergill to Victory; Thomas Finishes 5th in Bassmaster Open

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Published: 23 June 2024

B.A.S.S. Report

Easton Fothergill - 1st Place

EUFAULA, Okla. — Easton Fothergill’s an easygoing guy with no apparent mean streak, but he started Day 3 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Eufaula presented by SEVIIN with a chip on his shoulder. Suffice to say, his winning total of 52 pounds, 8 ounces more than settled the score.

Keeping himself near the top, the pro from Grand Rapids, Minn., weighed a third-place limit of 17-12 on Day 1 and held his position with a second-round limit of 16-11. Championship Saturday saw Fothergill charge ahead with his biggest bag, a limit of 18-1 that pushed him across the finish line.

Edging Andrew Loberg by 2-12, Fothergill collected the $44,155 top prize and received an invitation to fish the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors March 21-23 on Lake Ray Roberts.

Bo Thomas of Edwardsburg, Mich. - 5th Place

Michiana’s Bo Thomas of Edwardsburg, Mich. led for part of the championship Saturday after holding down second place going into the finals. However, He couldn’t get the kicker he needed and fell to fifth overall and still came home with $11,486.

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