LEESBURG, FL (352today.com) – The Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour continues its action-packed 2025 season next week, Feb. 13-16, with Suzuki Stage 2 at the Harris Chain of Lakes Presented by YETI, in Leesburg. Hosted by Discover Lake County Florida, the four-day tournament will showcase 66 of the world’s top professional anglers vying for a $150,000 top prize, critical points in the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) race, and qualification spots for the Heavy Hitters all-star event and REDCREST 2026.
The highly anticipated competition features top-ranked pros and local favorites, including reigning Fishing Clash AOY Jacob Wheeler, REDCREST 2024 Champion Dustin Connell, and defending Harris Chain champion Ott DeFoe. Florida natives Keith Carson, Bobby Lane, and Terry Scroggins are also set to compete, utilizing their local expertise to gain an edge.
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The tournament follows the MLF catch, weigh, and immediate-release format, with anglers battling against the pressure of the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard. The event will be filmed for a later broadcast on Discovery.
“We are thrilled to welcome Major League Fishing’s 2025 Bass Pro Tour to Lake County, Florida,” said Ryan Ritchie, Director of Discover Lake County Florida. “This event showcases our world-class fisheries and reinforces our reputation as a premier destination for competitive fishing.”
Weather conditions are expected to create a unique challenge compared to the last Harris Chain event in 2021, where DeFoe capitalized on the shad spawn to claim victory. Florida’s recent temperature swings have accelerated the spawning process, creating a dynamic environment for competitors.
Anglers will launch at 7:15 a.m. each day from the Venetian Gardens in Leesburg, with takeout at 3:45 p.m. The tournament will be streamed live on MLFNOW!® and SCORETRACKER® via MajorLeagueFishing.com, with fans invited to attend launch events and participate in the MLF Fan Experience & Watch Party on Feb. 15-16.
A two-hour televised episode of the event will premiere on Sept. 13 on Discovery, with the Championship Round airing on Sept. 20. For updates and tournament details, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or follow MLF on social media.