Ryan Armstrong Claims Victory at 2025 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Opener on Kissimmee Chain
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Feb. 23, 2025) – The highly anticipated 2025 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals kicked off in thrilling fashion at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. From rising stars to seasoned veterans, the competition showcased top-tier angling talent, with massive catches recorded across the board. The season opener continued the momentum from 2024, and one constant remained—Ryan Armstrong of Robinson, Illinois, led the pack from start to finish.
Armstrong set the pace on Stop 1 Presented by VOSKER with an impressive 29 pounds, 12 ounces on the first day, and he never looked back. Although his mornings started slow, his afternoon strategy consistently delivered results.
On Day 3, Armstrong navigated a tough morning session but rebounded in the afternoon, securing 16-1, bringing his total to 68-6 for a dominant victory and a well-earned $80,000 paycheck.
Top Competitors Deliver Strong Performances
Finishing second, Drew Gill of Mount Carmel, Illinois, weighed in 62 pounds, while rookie Banks Shaw of Harrison, Tennessee, launched his season in style with 61-10 to claim third place. In fourth, Joshua Weaver of Macon, Georgia, recorded 61-3, aided by a 28-5 haul on Day 2.
Armstrong’s Winning Strategy: Patience and Precision
Recent Florida tournaments have favored a straightforward approach, and Armstrong followed suit. He relied on heavy tackle and precision flipping, focusing on a single, productive area near Tiger Lake.
Armstrong recalled his discovery process:
“I didn’t know what I was getting myself into running that creek. But we ran that creek, and when I came around that last bend, I sat the boat down and just started pitching around. Once I got up in there, my rod just started getting annihilated, fish just jarring my rod like crazy.”
He quickly recognized a pattern:
“Whenever I came in there, I noticed some flow leaving; it was going out from Tiger to Kissimmee, and I knew it was shell bars there. I had some flow, and I knew it was getting cold. I thought the current was holding them there because of the cold weather. That was my key.”
Dialed-In Tackle Setup
Armstrong utilized beaver-style baits in multiple colors, paired with:
His methodical flipping strategy helped maximize his landing ratio, allowing him to capitalize on every bite.
A Monumental Win for Armstrong
Armstrong’s win marks a major milestone in his career. Reflecting on the achievement, he shared:
“It doesn’t seem real because winning doesn’t happen in fishing at high levels very often. To win is just unbelievably special to me.”
He continued:
“The sport means a lot to me. I literally think about it, watch it—it’s everything, every single day of my life. To win at such a high level against these guys, who are legitimately the best in the world, it’s kind of surreal.”
Final Standings – Top 10 Pros
1st: Ryan Armstrong, Robinson, Ill. – 15 bass, 68-6 – $80,000
2nd: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill. – 15 bass, 62-0 – $30,000
3rd: Banks Shaw, Harrison, Tenn. – 15 bass, 61-10 – $20,000
4th: Joshua Weaver, Macon, Ga. – 15 bass, 61-3 – $18,000
5th: Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala. – 15 bass, 59-10 – $17,000
6th: Joseph Webster, Hamilton, Ala. – 15 bass, 58-12 – $16,000
7th: Colby Miller, Elmer, La. – 15 bass, 53-6 – $15,000
8th: Alex Bradley, Wellford, S.C. – 15 bass, 53-5 – $14,000
9th: Bobby Bakewell, Orlando, Fla. – 15 bass, 53-3 – $13,000
10th: Jordan Wiggins, Cullman, Ala. – 15 bass, 51-15 – $12,000
Complete tournament results are available at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Kissimmee Tournament Highlights
- 143 bass caught by the final 30 pros
- Total combined weight: 406 pounds, 1 ounce
- 26 five-bass limits recorded
The three-day tournament, hosted by Experience Kissimmee, featured a field of elite pro anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000 and valuable qualification points for the 2025 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Championship in September.
Where to Watch: TV Broadcast Details
Upcoming Event: Stop 2 at Lake Hartwell
The next event on the 2025 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals schedule is Stop 2 at Lake Hartwell, Presented by Suzuki Marine, set for March 14-16 in Anderson, South Carolina.
For more updates, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com and follow us on social media.
Proud sponsors of the 2025 MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals include: 7Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, Athletic Brewing, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Bubba, Deep Dive App, E3 Sports Apparel, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Grizzly, Humminbird, Lew’s, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Onyx, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, Precision Sonar, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, VOSKER, WIX Filters and YETI.
For complete details and updated information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV).
Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 13 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
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