Special to IFN

Boater Kaden Buchmann of Troutman caught a total of 10 bass weighing 29 pounds, 8 ounces, over two days to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine at Lake Norman.

The tournament, hosted by Visit Lake Norman, Visit Charlotte & Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation, was the fifth and final event of the season for the BFL North Carolina Division. Buchmann earned $5,043 for his victory.

Buchmann said he “junk fished” with a variety of baits and approaches to target winning bass, and his arsenal included an in-line buzzbait with a white blade, a Muffin Top Jig and a Queen Tackle L.S. Tungsten Jig Head.

“It was mix of all the baits,” Buchmann said. “It just kind of depended on the time of day and place.”

Buchmann said weather played a role in the tournament on Sunday, as conditions changed and the bass bite slowed.

“It was bluebird skies and no wind Sunday – not even one mile per hour,” Buchmann said. “And the fish got very pressured.

“I could just tell by the way my day was going that the weights were going to be really low,” Buchmann added. “I fish there a good bit. I won the spring BFL there in March, so I knew by how my day was going weights would be down. I could tell the fish were not cooperating. Then when I saw the leader’s weight, I knew I had a chance.”

Buchmann also wrapped up the Fishing Clash North Carolina Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 1,344 points and earned the $1,000 prize.

The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the division based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the October 10-11 BFL Regional tournament on Lake Murray in Columbia, S.C. Boaters will fish for a top award of a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard worth $50,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000.

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Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.