Neal Moves Into Lead As Rayburn Event Resumes

By MLF Communications Staff

Reigning MLF Pro Circuit Angler of the Year Michael Neal of Dayton, Tennessee , brought five bass to the scale Saturday weighing 15-02 to take the lead after Day 3 of the season-opening event at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Brookeland, Texas. Neal leads a field of 10 pros who advanced to the final round, where their weights will be zeroed in the competition for a top prize of up to $135,000.

With Friday’s tournament day cancelled due to high winds, the full field of 158 anglers competed Saturday, facing tough early conditions as they were met with colder weather on the legendary fishery. Day-1 leader Josh Butler of Hayden, Alabama finished the day in 2nd place with a 12-15 bag, for a two-day total of 32-14, only 4 ounces ahead of pro Jeff Bridges of Prosper, Texas, who ended the day in 3rd place with 32-10.

Randy Despino of Colfax, Louisiana, made the biggest move on Day 3, starting the day in 49th place and ending up in 6th, thanks to a 20-pound bag and a 4-09 kicker.

To say that Neal began the 2022 season riding a wave of momentum would be an understatement. Fishing both the Pro Circuit and the Bass Pro Tour in 2021 and 2022, Neal finished the 2021 BPT season with a win at Lake St. Clair last September. He also finished 2nd at the 2021 REDCREST on Lake Eufaula, along with five other Top-10 finishes across both circuits in 2021.

“If the weather would have been stable today, the overall weights would have been better,” said Neal. “I didn’t even have a limit until 2 p.m. today and then finally figured something out. If it works again tomorrow, it could be a good day.”

Neal said on Day 1 he caught all of his fish out deep on finesse gear, but it seemed like the fish had moved up shallower on Saturday, and he was able to catch them on moving baits.

“Going into the tournament, I felt like 10 pounds per day was going to be really good for me,” said Neal. “I didn’t have very high expectations at all for this event, but it’s great starting the 2022 season back where I left off and just keeping the momentum going.”

Neal said he believes the final round will be anybody’s game.

“I don’t think any one person has a clear advantage going into the championship round,” continued Neal. “It’s just going to be whoever gets a couple of those really big bites. I think that will make the difference (Sunday).

“I predict we will see the biggest bag of the tournament tomorrow and someone will bring in a 21- to 22-pound bag to seal the win.”

Lance Crawford of Broken Bow, Oklahoma won the day's $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award after bringing a bass weighing 7-05 to the scale.

The final 10 anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CT on. Sunday from the Umphrey Family Pavilion, located at 5438 RR 255 in Brookeland. Weigh-in will also be held at the park Sunday at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the live on-the-water action online on MLF NOW! beginning at 7:30 a.m. CT at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Day 3 Standings

1. Michael Neal -- 18-07 (5) -- 15-02 (5) -- 33-09 (10)

2. Josh Butler -- 19-15 (5) -- 12-15 (5) -- 32-14 (10)

3. Jeff Bridges -- 19-10 (5) -- 13-00 (5) -- 32-10 (10)

4. Evan Barnes -- 15-11 (5) -- 16-12 (5) -- 32-07 (10)

5. Matt Becker -- 18-08 (5) -- 13-13 (5) -- 32-05 (10)

6. Randy Despino -- 12-01 (5) -- 20-00 (5) -- 32-01 (10)

7. Dylan Hays -- 16-02 (5) -- 15-08 (5) -- 31-10 (10)

8. Pete Ponds -- 15-00 (5) -- 15-03 (5) -- 30-03 (10)

9. Spencer Shuffield -- 13-11 (5) -- 16-07 (5) -- 30-02 (10)

10. Josh Bragg -- 13-00 (5) -- 17-01 (5) -- 30-01 (10)

The following anglers did not make the cut and will not fish on day 4.

11. Barron Adams -- 17-12 (5) -- 12-01 (5) -- 29-13 (10) -- $11,000

12. Justin Cooper -- 12-09 (5) -- 16-04 (5) -- 28-13 (10) -- $11,000

13. John Hunter -- 15-03 (5) -- 13-08 (5) -- 28-11 (10) -- $11,000

14. David Walker -- 14-14 (5) -- 13-07 (5) -- 28-05 (10) -- $11,000

15. Dicky Newberry -- 15-12 (5) -- 12-08 (5) -- 28-04 (10) -- $11,000

16. Laramy Strickland -- 16-10 (5) -- 11-07 (5) -- 28-01 (10) -- $11,000

17. Jacob Wall -- 16-05 (5) -- 11-11 (5) -- 28-00 (10) -- $11,000

18. Nick Hatfield -- 13-05 (5) -- 14-09 (5) -- 27-14 (10) -- $11,000

19. Blake Hall -- 13-04 (5) -- 14-09 (5) -- 27-13 (10) -- $11,000

20. Dakota Ebare -- 17-10 (5) -- 10-02 (5) -- 27-12 (10) -- $11,000

21. Rusty Salewske -- 11-13 (5) -- 15-11 (5) -- 27-08 (10) -- $10,500

22. Mike Surman -- 13-14 (5) -- 13-07 (5) -- 27-05 (10) -- $10,500

23. Brett Hite -- 12-06 (5) -- 14-12 (5) -- 27-02 (10) -- $10,500

24. Matt Reed -- 10-09 (5) -- 16-07 (5) -- 27-00 (10) -- $10,500

25. John Cox -- 11-00 (5) -- 15-07 (5) -- 26-07 (10) -- $10,500

26. Joshua Weaver -- 15-11 (5) -- 10-09 (5) -- 26-04 (10) -- $10,500

27. Bobby Lane -- 13-03 (5) -- 13-00 (5) -- 26-03 (10) -- $10,500

28. Cole Floyd -- 13-03 (5) -- 12-15 (5) -- 26-02 (10) -- $10,500

29. Jacopo Gallelli -- 13-14 (5) -- 12-02 (5) -- 26-00 (10) -- $10,500

30. J Todd Tucker -- 15-01 (5) -- 10-13 (5) -- 25-14 (10) -- $10,500

31. Tyler Woolcott -- 15-04 (5) -- 10-09 (5) -- 25-13 (10) -- $10,000

32. Joe Wieberg -- 14-12 (5) -- 10-15 (5) -- 25-11 (10) -- $10,000

33. Nick Lebrun -- 14-09 (5) -- 10-15 (5) -- 25-08 (10) -- $10,000

34. Jimmy Washam -- 13-11 (5) -- 11-13 (4) -- 25-08 (9) -- $10,000

35. Andy Newcomb -- 12-13 (5) -- 12-10 (5) -- 25-07 (10) -- $10,000

36. Jason Vance -- 13-11 (5) -- 11-11 (4) -- 25-06 (9) -- $10,000

37. Casey Scanlon -- 14-01 (5) -- 11-00 (5) -- 25-01 (10) -- $10,000

38. Colby Miller -- 11-06 (5) -- 13-11 (5) -- 25-01 (10) -- $10,000

39. Kurt Mitchell -- 12-00 (5) -- 13-01 (5) -- 25-01 (10) -- $10,000

40. Darrell Davis -- 12-03 (5) -- 12-13 (5) -- 25-00 (10) -- $10,000

41. Keith Carson -- 19-10 (5) -- 5-03 (3) -- 24-13 (8) -- $10,000

42. Chad Grigsby -- 12-07 (5) -- 12-05 (5) -- 24-12 (10) -- $10,000

43. Trevor Fitzgerald -- 11-13 (5) -- 12-14 (5) -- 24-11 (10) -- $10,000

44. Jared McMillan -- 13-13 (5) -- 10-12 (5) -- 24-09 (10) -- $10,000

45. Matthew Stefan -- 12-14 (5) -- 11-09 (5) -- 24-07 (10) -- $10,000

46. Martin Villa -- 11-12 (5) -- 12-09 (5) -- 24-05 (10) -- $10,000

47. Jim Moynagh -- 10-03 (5) -- 13-11 (5) -- 23-14 (10) -- $10,000

48. Ron Farrow -- 10-06 (5) -- 13-07 (5) -- 23-13 (10) -- $10,000

49. Blake Smith -- 11-07 (5) -- 12-06 (5) -- 23-13 (10) -- $10,000

50. Miles Howe -- 9-08 (5) -- 14-02 (5) -- 23-10 (10) -- $10,000

51. Mike McClelland -- 12-13 (5) -- 10-12 (5) -- 23-09 (10) -- $10,000

52. John Voyles -- 16-00 (5) -- 7-06 (4) -- 23-06 (9) -- $10,000

53. Mitch Crane -- 15-05 (5) -- 7-15 (4) -- 23-04 (9) -- $10,000

54. Mark Rose -- 11-05 (5) -- 11-15 (5) -- 23-04 (10) -- $10,000

55. Miles Burghoff -- 10-10 (5) -- 12-07 (5) -- 23-01 (10) -- $10,000

56. Chad Warren -- 12-11 (5) -- 10-02 (5) -- 22-13 (10) -- $10,000

57. Jason Lieblong -- 10-06 (5) -- 12-07 (5) -- 22-13 (10) -- $10,000

58. Wesley Strader -- 10-01 (5) -- 12-11 (5) -- 22-12 (10) -- $10,000

59. Jeff Reynolds -- 10-01 (5) -- 12-09 (5) -- 22-10 (10) -- $10,000

60. James Niggemeyer -- 14-02 (5) -- 8-06 (5) -- 22-08 (10) -- $10,000

61. Mickey Beck -- 11-05 (5) -- 11-02 (5) -- 22-07 (10) -- $6,667

62. Jimmy Neece Jr -- 8-13 (4) -- 13-09 (5) -- 22-06 (9) -- $5,000

63. Clayton Batts -- 11-07 (5) -- 10-14 (5) -- 22-05 (10) -- $5,000

64. Grae Buck -- 14-00 (5) -- 8-03 (5) -- 22-03 (10) -- $5,000

65. Jon Canada -- 11-07 (5) -- 10-08 (5) -- 21-15 (10) -- $5,000

66. Tom Monsoor -- 9-09 (5) -- 12-02 (5) -- 21-11 (10) -- $5,000

67. Brandon McMillan -- 11-09 (5) -- 10-00 (5) -- 21-09 (10) -- $5,000

68. Ron Nelson -- 12-03 (5) -- 9-05 (5) -- 21-08 (10) -- $5,000

69. Phillip Dutra -- 9-10 (5) -- 11-14 (5) -- 21-08 (10) -- $5,000

70. Shannon Abbott -- 10-01 (5) -- 11-06 (5) -- 21-07 (10) -- $5,000

71. Clark Reehm -- 9-09 (5) -- 11-12 (5) -- 21-05 (10) -- $5,000

72. Jimmy Reese -- 10-00 (5) -- 11-05 (5) -- 21-05 (10) -- $5,000

73. Tommy Dickerson -- 11-03 (5) -- 10-02 (5) -- 21-05 (10) -- $5,000

74. Randall Tharp -- 6-01 (2) -- 15-03 (5) -- 21-04 (7) -- $5,000

75. Lance Crawford -- 10-03 (5) -- 11-01 (3) -- 21-04 (8) -- $6,000

76. Chris Lane -- 12-05 (5) -- 8-14 (5) -- 21-03 (10)

77. Kerry Milner -- 10-08 (4) -- 10-11 (5) -- 21-03 (9)

78. Kyle Hall -- 10-08 (5) -- 10-06 (5) -- 20-14 (10)

79. Takayuki Koike -- 10-02 (5) -- 10-10 (5) -- 20-12 (10)

80. Joey Cifuentes -- 12-01 (5) -- 8-10 (5) -- 20-11 (10)

81. Lance Oligschlaeger -- 9-01 (5) -- 11-07 (4) -- 20-08 (9)

82. Braxton Setzer -- 9-03 (5) -- 11-04 (5) -- 20-07 (10)

83. Corey Neece -- 10-06 (5) -- 10-01 (5) -- 20-07 (10)

84. Jim Tutt -- 10-05 (5) -- 10-02 (5) -- 20-07 (10)

85. Christian Greico -- 11-09 (5) -- 8-12 (5) -- 20-05 (10)

86. Clabion Johns -- 7-11 (4) -- 12-07 (5) -- 20-02 (9)

87. Troy Stokes -- 8-15 (5) -- 11-03 (5) -- 20-02 (10)

88. Tai Au -- 11-05 (5) -- 8-09 (5) -- 19-14 (10)

89. Derrick Snavely -- 10-11 (5) -- 9-03 (4) -- 19-14 (9)

90. Lane Olson -- 8-12 (5) -- 10-14 (5) -- 19-10 (10)

91. Tom Redington -- 11-09 (5) -- 8-00 (2) -- 19-09 (7)

92. Randy Howell -- 8-01 (4) -- 11-08 (5) -- 19-09 (9)

93. Chris Groh -- 8-07 (3) -- 11-01 (5) -- 19-08 (8)

94. Todd Walters -- 11-00 (5) -- 8-08 (5) -- 19-08 (10)

95. Cal Lane -- 13-05 (5) -- 6-02 (2) -- 19-07 (7)

96. Steve Lopez -- 10-06 (5) -- 8-14 (5) -- 19-04 (10)

97. Darrel Robertson -- 10-05 (5) -- 8-14 (5) -- 19-03 (10)

98. Cody Pike -- 11-11 (5) -- 7-05 (5) -- 19-00 (10)

99. Kyle Cortiana -- 10-01 (5) -- 8-14 (5) -- 18-15 (10)

100. Chase Serafin -- 11-00 (5) -- 7-08 (4) -- 18-08 (9)

101. Justin Lucas -- 10-03 (5) -- 8-01 (4) -- 18-04 (9)

102. Steve York -- 8-08 (5) -- 9-11 (5) -- 18-03 (10)

103. Scott Wiley -- 9-14 (5) -- 8-03 (5) -- 18-01 (10)

104. Bill McDonald -- 11-05 (5) -- 6-11 (3) -- 18-00 (8)

105. Michael Matthee -- 7-03 (3) -- 10-12 (4) -- 17-15 (7)

106. Charlie Evans -- 7-12 (4) -- 10-00 (5) -- 17-12 (9)

107. Alex Davis -- 11-07 (5) -- 6-03 (2) -- 17-10 (7)

108. Andrew Loberg -- 11-05 (5) -- 6-02 (3) -- 17-07 (8)

109. Brian Latimer -- 10-05 (5) -- 7-02 (4) -- 17-07 (9)

110. Jason Reyes -- 11-02 (5) -- 6-01 (4) -- 17-03 (9)

111. Kyle Weisenburger -- 10-05 (5) -- 6-10 (3) -- 16-15 (8)

112. Tyler Stewart -- 8-12 (5) -- 7-15 (5) -- 16-11 (10)

113. Larry Nixon -- 4-05 (2) -- 12-03 (5) -- 16-08 (7)

114. Ramie Colson Jr -- 7-04 (4) -- 9-00 (5) -- 16-04 (9)

115. Rusty Trancygier -- 8-10 (5) -- 7-05 (5) -- 15-15 (10)

116. Skeet Reese -- 10-05 (5) -- 5-07 (2) -- 15-12 (7)

117. Brandon Mosley -- 5-02 (3) -- 10-05 (5) -- 15-07 (8)

118. Brad Knight -- 7-06 (3) -- 8-01 (5) -- 15-07 (8)

119. Bruce Parsons -- 5-09 (3) -- 9-12 (4) -- 15-05 (7)

120. Jordan Osborne -- 8-09 (4) -- 6-10 (4) -- 15-03 (8)

121. Cole Harris -- 4-00 (2) -- 11-02 (5) -- 15-02 (7)

121. Robby Lefere -- 4-00 (2) -- 11-02 (5) -- 15-02 (7)

123. Scott Dobson -- 6-09 (5) -- 8-09 (5) -- 15-02 (10)

124. Billy Hines -- 4-07 (3) -- 10-09 (5) -- 15-00 (8)

125. Jason Meninger -- 6-05 (3) -- 8-03 (5) -- 14-08 (8)

126. Shonn Goodwin -- 10-00 (5) -- 4-05 (1) -- 14-05 (6)

127. Lendell Martin Jr -- 8-11 (4) -- 4-15 (3) -- 13-10 (7)

128. River Lee -- 10-03 (5) -- 3-03 (2) -- 13-06 (7)

129. Charlie Ingram -- 9-01 (5) -- 4-02 (2) -- 13-03 (7)

130. Eric Olliverson -- 8-13 (5) -- 4-00 (2) -- 12-13 (7)

131. Terry Bolton -- 8-05 (4) -- 4-07 (2) -- 12-12 (6)

132. Aaron Britt -- 10-12 (5) -- 1-09 (1) -- 12-05 (6)

133. Mark Fisher -- 12-03 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 12-03 (5)

134. Mitchell Webb -- 9-15 (5) -- 2-02 (1) -- 12-01 (6)

135. Greg Bohannan -- 10-04 (5) -- 1-12 (1) -- 12-00 (6)

136. Terry Luedtke -- 7-06 (5) -- 4-09 (3) -- 11-15 (8)

137. Kyle Gelles -- 8-04 (5) -- 3-08 (2) -- 11-12 (7)

138. Ricardo Gonzalez -- 1-08 (1) -- 10-03 (5) -- 11-11 (6)

139. Jeff McLain -- 9-09 (5) -- 2-02 (1) -- 11-11 (6)

140. Shane Lineberger -- 7-14 (4) -- 3-02 (2) -- 11-00 (6)

141. Cameron Mattison -- 8-08 (5) -- 2-06 (1) -- 10-14 (6)

142. Cole Hewett -- 10-02 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 10-02 (5)

143. Richard Lowitzki -- 10-00 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 10-00 (4)

144. Matt Greenblatt -- 3-06 (2) -- 6-10 (3) -- 10-00 (5)

145. Colby Schrumpf -- 3-09 (2) -- 5-00 (2) -- 8-09 (4)

146. Jamie Horton -- 8-08 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 8-08 (3)

147. Robert Nakatomi -- 6-04 (3) -- 2-01 (1) -- 8-05 (4)

148. Tim Frederick -- 2-13 (2) -- 5-07 (3) -- 8-04 (5)

149. Nick Gainey -- 0-00 (0) -- 8-00 (4) -- 8-00 (4)

150. Grant Galloway -- 1-07 (1) -- 6-08 (4) -- 7-15 (5)

151. Dave Parsons -- 3-02 (2) -- 4-11 (3) -- 7-13 (5)

152. Stephen Albertson -- 5-14 (2) -- 1-12 (1) -- 7-10 (3)

153. Ricky Robinson -- 7-09 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 7-09 (3)

154. Scott Towry -- 4-09 (2) -- 1-10 (1) -- 6-03 (3)

155. Jason Blair -- 5-07 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 5-07 (3)

156. Jason Abram -- 3-09 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-09 (2)

157. Gary Yamamoto -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-00 (2) -- 3-00 (2)

158. Stuart Arthur -- 2-06 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 2-06 (1)