By MLF Communications Staff

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Top 50 Major League fishing anglers from 2024 – including 40 Bass Pro Tour competitors – will compete for the first-place prize of $300,000 at REDCREST 2025 on Lake Guntersville. Competition days are Thursday through Sunday.

Reigning and two-time REDCREST champion Dustin Connell of Clanton, Ala., who will be among competitors, said that Guntersville is fishing as good as it’s ever been and that he expects to see some big fish caught all across the lake.

“Lake Guntersville is fishing unbelievable right now,” Connell said. “It’s been that way for the last few years. It’s one of the best, healthiest lakes in the country, and I think we’re going to see some giant fish caught. It’s going to be an awesome tournament, no doubt.”

Guntersville has long been a bucket-list destination among anglers, regularly producing tournament-winning weights of 30 pounds or more. This year’s event presents a little bit of a challenge, taking place during the spring transition.

“We’re right on the verge of things getting a little funky,” Connell explained. “The fish are starting to move up, but it’s a grindy time of year because they’re transitioning from feeding to spawning. If we hit it just right, they might be shallow and ready to bite, but they could also be cruising and a little harder to catch.”

Connell, whose two prior REDCREST victories have come on Alabama’s Lake Eufaula and Lay Lake, knows that adaptability will be key.

“There are four or five major creeks that could produce the winning fish – North Sauty, Honeycomb, Seibold, Browns, and Spring,” Connell said. “With only 50 boats on the water, the field will probably be spread out and you could realistically not see another angler all day. That’s what makes REDCREST so special – everybody has a real shot.

“You’ll see guys fishing docks, throwing jerkbaits, ChatterBaits, maybe even frogs,” Connell said. “I’ll definitely be throwing a Rapala Mavrik – I love throwing that jerkbait, and we're getting to that time of year where we’re really going to catch them on it. And a (Rapala Crush City) Janitor and (Rapala Crush City) Pigstick weightless stick bait for targeting those shallow, structure-oriented fish. Forward-facing sonar is definitely going to play a role in this one, and I’ll definitely be using it when I can. There isn’t a single tournament where I don’t have a (Rapala Crush City) Freeloader tied on and ready to go.”

Connell is eager for a chance to claim an unprecedented third championship title. For Connell, REDCREST represents the pinnacle of the sport.

“This is the one you want to win,” he said. “It’s not just the $300,000 payday – it’s the prestige. Winning REDCREST sets you apart. Lake Guntersville is world-famous, and to win the biggest tournament on that stage? That’s what we do this for and what it’s all about.”

Anglers will launch each morning from Civitan Park, located at 1130 Sunset Drive, in Huntsville, at 7:15 a.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLF NOW! livestream and SCORETRACKER coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The free, family-friendly MLF Outdoor Sports Expo will also take place throughout the weekend (Friday through Sunday) at the Von Braun Center, located at 700 Monroe St. SW, in Huntsville. Fishing and outdoor enthusiasts are invited to explore an array of booths and vendors featuring the newest innovations and gear in fishing, boating, and the outdoors. They can also eet some of the biggest names in the industry, including professional anglers from the Bass Pro Tour and legendary Bass Fishing Hall of Famers like Kevin VanDam.

The tournament will showcase the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format, in which anglers catch as much weight as they can each day, while also feeling the pressure and intensity of the SCORETRACKER leaderboard. The event will feature anglers competing with a 2-pound minimum weight requirement for a bass to be deemed scorable.

The full field of anglers will compete in the two-day Qualifying Round on Thursday and Friday. From there, the pro with the highest two-day total will advance directly to Sunday’s Championship Round. Anglers who finish 2nd through 20th will advance to Saturday’s Knockout Round.

In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed, and the remaining anglers compete to finish in the Top 9 to advance to Sunday’s Championship Round, when weights are again zeroed and the highest one-day total wins the $300,000 prize

The MLFNOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on each day of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. MLFNOW! is livestreamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.