By MLF Communications Staff

While low water levels have equaled tough fishing conditions for most anglers at the MLF Pro Circuit TITLE Championship, Miles Burghoff worked those conditions to his favor, bringing a five-bass limit to the scale on Thursday weighing 14-13. Burghoff’s two-day total of 26-08 earned him the win in the Group A Qualifying Round by a mere ounce over Zack Birge and punched his ticket straight through to Sunday’s Championship Round.

Birge’s limit of 14-04 gave him a two-day total of 26-07. Other Group A anglers who advanced to the Knockout Round were Cole Floyd (25-09), Kurt Mitchell (25-02), Jimmy Washam (25-01), Ryan Salzman (24-12), Alex Davis (24-07), David Walker (24-04), Mike McClelland (23-08) and Joshua Weaver (23-08).

The advancing anglers from Group A will now have an off-day Friday, while the 25 anglers in Group B will complete their two-day Qualifying Round of competition. The Knockout Round, featuring 18 anglers competing to finish in the Top 8, will take place on Saturday. Sunday’s Championship Round will feature Burghoff, Friday’s Group B winner and the eight anglers from the Knockout Round competing in a one-day shootout to catch the heaviest five-bass limit for the top prize of up to $235,000.

“Today was pretty special,” Burghoff said. “With a near two-hour fog delay, I didn’t have a whole lot of time to fish. I’m making the longest run out of anybody here, from what I understand, and I was able to make it happen even with a short day.”

Burghoff’s limit was anchored by a 5-11 largemouth – a giant for late August on the Mississippi.

“When I said early on in the week that I didn’t want to catch a big one during the Qualifying Round, that was the truth,” Burghoff said. “In this format, you can’t burn a fish like that in the early rounds. So, when I caught it, I knew I had to win the round. I worked really hard today. But I let up on them and gave up about an hour that I could have culled up a quarter-ound, so I was really sweating that decision in the weigh-in line. Being able to not have to beat up on those fish another day and save them for the Championship Round is key.”

Burghoff estimated he caught 40 fish throughout the day. He declined to divulge any bait or technique specifics but did hint that the low water level is helping him.

“I’m fishing in Pool No. 9, but I can’t just go anywhere – it’s not like (Pool) 9 is fishing better. I just found a good area,” Burghoff said. “I caught my limit in six casts this morning and culled six or seven times in 30 minutes, but I only had 9 1/2 pounds. Then I started searching some areas. I caught the big one, then never made another cast and left immediately. I found three more areas that are pretty stacked with fish – not every-cast type deals, but the type of deals where I can go there and catch a couple.

“The biggest factor for me now is going to be the weekend boat traffic, and the lock,” Burghoff went on to say. “Those are the two big things that could really affect me. I’ve got plenty of fish in that area, it’s just a matter of playing my cards right on Championship Sunday.”

Anglers take off at 7 a.m. CT each day from Veterans Freedom Park, located at 1 Clinton Street in La Crosse. Weigh-ins are held at the park daily at 3 p.m. The MLF NOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney breaks down the extended action from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the action online through the MLF NOW! live stream and coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.



Group A Qualifying Round – Day 2

1. Miles Burghoff -- 11-11 (5) -- 14-13 (5) -- 26-08 (10)

2. Zack Birge -- 12-03 (5) -- 14-04 (5) -- 26-07 (10)

3. Cole Floyd -- 13-04 (5) -- 12-05 (5) -- 25-09 (10)

4. Kurt Mitchell -- 11-09 (5) -- 13-09 (5) -- 25-02 (10)

5. Jimmy Washam -- 11-09 (5) -- 13-08 (5) -- 25-01 (10)

6. Ryan Salzman -- 13-03 (5) -- 11-09 (5) -- 24-12 (10)

7. Alex Davis -- 13-10 (5) -- 10-13 (5) -- 24-07 (10)

8. David Walker -- 11-14 (5) -- 12-06 (5) -- 24-04 (10)

9. Mike McClelland -- 13-12 (5) -- 9-12 (5) -- 23-08 (10)

10. Joshua Weaver -- 11-09 (5) -- 11-15 (5) -- 23-08 (10)

The following anglers did not make the cut and will not advance to the Knockout Round

11. Jamie Horton -- 9-03 (4) -- 13-14 (5) -- 23-01 (9)

12. Michael Neal -- 10-00 (5) -- 13-01 (5) -- 23-01 (10)

13. Tai Au -- 12-06 (5) -- 10-03 (5) -- 22-09 (10)

14. Jim Moynagh -- 9-05 (5) -- 13-01 (5) -- 22-06 (10)

15. Jacopo Gallelli -- 10-09 (5) -- 11-08 (5) -- 22-01 (10)

16. Spencer Shuffield -- 11-00 (5) -- 9-04 (5) -- 20-04 (10)

17. Cody Huff -- 9-13 (4) -- 8-00 (4) -- 17-13 (8)

18. Jesse Wiggins -- 5-04 (2) -- 12-08 (5) -- 17-12 (7)

19. Jim Tutt -- 5-15 (3) -- 11-04 (5) -- 17-03 (8)

20. Chris Lane -- 8-05 (4) -- 7-06 (3) -- 15-11 (7)

21. Cody Pike -- 1-13 (1) -- 13-12 (5) -- 15-09 (6)

22. Clabion Johns -- 7-12 (3) -- 7-13 (3) -- 15-09 (6)

23. Troy Morrow -- 6-00 (4) -- 8-05 (4) -- 14-05 (8)

24. Corey Neece -- 9-14 (5) -- 2-09 (1) -- 12-07 (6)

25. Rusty Salewske -- 6-09 (3) -- 5-09 (3) -- 12-02 (6)