By MLF Communications Staff

The anticipation was palpable at the weigh-in on Monday, with anglers, their families and fishing fans on the edge of their seats after the final day of the MLF Pro Circuit event at Lake Champlain Plattsburgh, N.Y. When the MLF NOW! livestream had concluded, the unofficial weight estimates showed three pros tied at the top of the leaderboard with 21 pounds even – Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas, Jon Canada of Helena, Ala. and Kyle Hall of Granbury, Texas – all in contention for victory.

Pro Circuit emcee called for the pros’ bass one at a time, among murmurs and exclamation from the crowd in attendance, as brown, football-sized Champlain smallmouths were placed on the scale. As the numbers settled, a multitude of expressions crossed the anglers’ faces, but it was Hall who came out on top, narrowly edging out Canada by 1 ounce for his first Pro Circuit win and the top payout of $135,000, including the $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus.

Hall, who led three of the four days of competition, weighed in 21 pounds, 6 ounces on the final day, giving him a 1-ounce margin over Canada, who brought a limit to the scale weighing 21-05, good for second place. Ebare, long-time friend and traveling companion of Hall, finished the day in third place with a limit weighing 21-01.

“Out on the water, my scales said I had a pound less than I actually had, so I didn’t think I had enough to beat those guys,” said Hall. “I had seen some of their fish and knew Jon had a 5-pounder. Dakota said he had 21 pounds, so I figured I was out of it for sure.”

Hall and Ebare began traveling to tournaments together in 2016 and said they have become more like brothers over the years. Hall said the two friends spent 59 days together on northern fisheries, including Lake Champlain, in 2018, just to be on the water and learn to fish for smallmouths.

“Dakota and I spent every day on the water that we could during those two months, and it’s that time on the water that I credit to this win and the other successful tournaments I’ve had up here,” Hall said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have a win on the Toyota Series before, and I know how close Dakota has come, so many times, so it was a little gut-wrenching to be in that tight of contention with him. I would have been just as happy for him to win one, but I was kicking myself in the weigh-in line for some of the decisions I’d made through the day.”

Hall said he spent the day haunting one of the same spots he’d been on all week, dropshotting and throwing a Strike King 3X ElazTech Baby Z Too Soft Jerkbait, but said what varied in the Championship Round was his approach.

“I’d been hitting another area early and getting a quick limit, but I started today on a deep spot that has been playing well in the afternoons and caught a 4-pounder pretty quick. After that I drifted down the ledge a couple miles, but all I really did was waste time,” Hall laughed. “I fired up my engine about 12:30 and ran back to where I caught the 4-pounder and I was catching fish on every drop, as fast as I could. All I could think when I was sitting in that weigh-in line was how much time I wasted drifting away from the winning spot, and how that had cost me the win.”

But it didn’t cost Hall the win, or the coveted trophy, or the big paycheck. His hard work, positive mindset and perseverance paid off.

“I’ve been disappointed all year because I was having a terrible season, but I came here with the specific goal of winning this event and knowing I have what it takes to do well on this fishery, so to get it done feels great.”

Skeet Reese experienced mechanical issues on the way back to the weigh-in, resulting in a late check-in and the disqualification of his weight for the day. He finished the event in 10th place.

The tournament marked the sixth and final regular-season event of the year for the Pro Circuit.



Day 4 (Final) Standings

1. Kyle Hall -- 21-06 (5)

2. Jon Canada -- 21-05 (5)

3. Dakota Ebare -- 21-01 (5)

4. Matt Becker -- 18-13 (5)

5. Andy Newcomb -- 18-07 (5)

6. Joey Cifuentes -- 18-07 (5)

7. Kurt Mitchell -- 16-06 (5)

8. Kyle Cortiana -- 12-00 (5)

9. Alex Davis -- 11-12 (5)

10. Skeet Reese -- 0-00 (0)