2024 Toyota Series

  • Man holding two large fish with event banners and a truck in the background at a fishing competition.

    Harris Chain of Lakes, Florida March 19-21

    In the Toyota Series tournament on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Florida (March 19-21, 2024), Russell Gardner competed using a 6-inch black and blue Senko with a blue tip and a chartreuse and white chatterbait. Despite losing a few big fish, he embraced the experience as a learning opportunity, especially since it was his first Toyota Series tournament. On Day 1, he weighed in 7lbs, placing 93rd out of 180 boats. By Day 2, he made a strong improvement, weighing in 13lbs and moving up to 47th place. Although he didn’t make the top 25 to fish the final day, Russell was proud of his progress and the adjustments he made between Day 1 and Day 2.

  • Man holding two largemouth bass fish, wearing a camo hat and sunglasses, standing in front of a dark truck backdrop.

    Smith Lake, Alabama April 4-6

    In the Toyota Series tournament on Smith Lake in Alabama (April 4-6, 2024), Russell Gardner caught bass using a 3 1/4-inch Largo Shad on a 3/8 Mooneye jig head in 80-100ft of water with Forward Facing Sonar (FFS). On Day 1, he weighed in 11lbs 10oz, placing 65th out of 240 boats. However, on Day 2, he didn’t have the same success, weighing in 10lbs 9oz and dropping to 80th place.

  • Lake Chickamauga, Tennessee May 2-4

    In the Toyota Series on Lake Chickamauga, Russell Gardner fished by casting a Mag Draft for the shad spawn and a Baby Brush Hog in blowdowns. On the first day, he finished 39th out of 193 boats. Unfortunately, on the second day, he dropped to 110th place. Even though he didn't finish where he wanted to, the experience only motivated him more to start preparing for competition in 2025.