The DREAM begins

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Tommy has arrived in the USA and is ready to give the Bassmaster Opens 2025 his best in both Division 1 & 2 of the competition. He is adapting to the freezing weather and conditions, he continues to find his feet and is chomping at the bit to get started. Tommy has had the most fantastic support from so many people, which he is truly grateful for, and whilst Bass Fishing is not yet an Olympic sport just yet, Tommy realises he is in the competition of his life. So, a huge shout out to;

@kyle_schuchard_fishing who has been instrumental in getting a vehicle, lending Tommy his boat, rigging the boat, get licensing done and everything else in between.

@carl_jocumsen for encouraging, mentoring an Aussie on everything USA and letting him borrow some of his miller rods while the new Samaki sticks are in process! You are an absolute Aussie icon that has led the way for others to follow.

@gussyoutdoors, the 2023 Bassmaster Classic champion, and Canadian Barra champ for lending me his Rods reels, mentoring and for being a great bloke.

@stevemorgan and Nicholle for the mentoring and helping him make his dream a reality. @ABT was the birthplace of this dream and Steve has been instrumental in helping make the leap to the USA.

@jacobwheeler for the encouragement and support, another mate along the journey freely mentoring.

@greenmarinelithium, A big shoutout to Steve for all thing Lithium, battery systems and financial support.

@samaki for the journey, Josh being a Barra Brut Buddy, kicking arse with Tommy in #ABT comps, TOY’s, building his profile, all the gear; lures, reels, rods, pep talks and a whole lot more.

@barrajackskawana for support, encouragement and more fishing and tackle gear.

@bucknbass for all the warm gear without which, Tommy would be freezing his butt off right now.

@mauijim for the sunglasses, support and encouragement.

@garmin for the continuing support of products.

And everyone else, you know who you are… for purchasing Tommy’s fishing shirts, weekend jobs, following and sharing him on all his social media platforms, supporting and encouraging a young man to make his dreams come true. We thank you all, and cant wait to hear the Aussie cheer squad sing the legendary war cry loud and proud, Aussie, Aussie, Aussie in the near future.

Tommy has started with a fish at Lake Russel Elberton GA, setting up lines, reels, the boat and cameras for the events ahead.

Tommy (BassMaster profile) starts with the Division 1 Clarks Hill – at Evans GA on the 23-25 January. This event marks the first time an Open event has visited the fishery, which is the third-largest artificial lake east of the Mississippi River. Featuring more than 400 miles of shoreline, Clarks Hill is referred to by Georgians as “Georgia’s Freshwater Coast.”

After a break of more than two months, Division 1 will pick up competition again April 16-18 at Tombigbee River in Columbus, Miss., a stop that hasn’t appeared on a Bassmaster schedule since 2004.

Division 1 then heads to Upper Chesapeake Bay in North East, Md., July 23-25. The Division then heads over to St. Lawrence River in Waddington, N.Y., July 31-Aug. 2, which claimed the No. 1 spot overall on the 2024 Bassmaster Magazine 100 Best Bass Lakes list for its deep, clear waters that are famous for chunk smallmouth.

Division 2 kicks off its season Feb. 13-15 at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Jasper, Texas. The 114,000-acre Sam Rayburn ended up No. 7 in the 2024 Bassmaster Magazine 100 Best Bass Lakes: Central list for producing giant largemouth consistently. The next stop for Division 2 will be a familiar one, as the Opens return to Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley in Paris, Tenn., March 6-8.

Division 2 then takes a swing to a destination that has not been visited by Opens competitors in nearly a decade — Norfork Lake in Mountain Home, Ark., April 3-5, where anglers will find plentiful bass in more than 22,000 acres of crystal blue water set in the Ozark Mountains. The final stop of Division 2 will be Aug. 14-16 on Leech Lake in Walker, Minn.

Division 1
Clarks Hill Reservoir, Jan. 23-25 – Evans, Ga.
Tombigbee River, April 16-18 – Columbus, Miss.
Upper Chesapeake Bay, July 23-25 – North East, Md.
St. Lawrence River, July 31-Aug. 2 – Waddington, N.Y.

Division 2
Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Feb. 13-15 – Jasper, Texas
Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley, March 6-8 – Paris, Tenn.
Norfork Lake, April 3-5 – Mountain Home, Ark.
Leech Lake, Aug. 14-16 – Walker, Minn.

Chronological
Clarks Hill Reservoir, Jan. 23-25 – Evans, Ga.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Feb. 13-15 – Jasper, Texas
Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley, March 6-8 – Paris, Tenn.
Norfork Lake, April 3-5 Mountain Home, Ark.
Tombigbee River, April 16-18 – Columbus, Miss.
Upper Chesapeake Bay, July 23-25 – North East, Md.
St. Lawrence River, July 31-Aug. 2 – Waddington, N.Y
Leech Lake, Aug. 14-16 – Walker, Minn.

BasssMaster state; “new for the 2025 Opens and EQ Series, the new electronics rule for 2025 that was implemented for the Elite Series will also apply for the Opens. That includes standardization practices that allow for only one live transducer connected to the trolling motor shaft and capping total screen inches at 55.”