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Update: Three Striper Anglers Dead In Boat Crash During MLF Tournament
GON Staff | April 16, 2025
A two-vessel boat crash during the Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse Invitational tournament on Alabama’s Smith Lake resulted in three fatalities and injured three others. Killed were 58-year-old Joey Broom, of Altoona, Ala., 44-year-old John Clark, of Cullman, Ala., and 62-year-old Jeffrey Little, of Brandon, Mississippi, who were on the center-console boat fishing for striped bass with a guide.
GON has been in contact with several Smith Lake striper guides we know from our days of publishing Alabama Outdoor News. Bill Vines, of Stripe Fishing Headquarters, has spoken several times directly to the father of the guide involved in the crash, Gary Holcombe, and said that Gary is in the UAB hospital intensive care unit. Bill said there were four clients fishing at the front of the guide boat—the three fatalities and a fourth client, Luke Morgan, 30, of Albertville, was also injured and transported to UAB Hospital.
Georgia bass tournament angler Flint Davis, 22, of Leesburg, was competing in the MLF tournament when his boat collided with the center console. The crash happened at 7:03 a.m., April 16, 2025, in the area of Burr’s Island outside the mouth Miller Bottoms, according to the Cullman County EMA. The crash occurred several miles from the takeoff site.
Flint Davis’s damaged Nitro bass boat was placed on its trailer and pulled from the scene. Major League Fishing official Joe Opager confirmed in a statement that the crash happened during Day 2 of the Tackle Warehouse Invitational and that Flint Davis was involved. The tournament was canceled.
“Out of respect for those involved, and to ensure the accuracy of all information, no further details will be released at this time,” Opager said. “MLF is working closely with law enforcement and emergency officials. Additional updates will be provided as they are confirmed by the appropriate authorities,” he said. “Our thoughts, prayers and deepest concern are with everyone affected by this tragic incident.”
In a follow-up release, MLF Executive Vice President and General Manager Kathy Fennel said, “This is a heartbreaking moment for our entire organization. Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of those affected by this tragedy.”
Joey Broom was a city council member in the town of Snead. “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of council member, Joey Broom. Please keep the Broom family & the Town of Snead in your prayers,” the town’s Facebook account posted.
ALEA is leading the investigation, and Lt. Jeremy Burkett said more information will be released as it becomes available. This story will continue to be updated when more details become available.
Flint Davis has been featured numerous times in GON tournament report articles and in a 2023 feature article by GON Field Editor Craig James on fishing the lower Flint River for shoal bass.
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I have a house on Lake Sinclair in Cedar Creek and have watched the boats get faster and faster over the 33 years we’ve been there. Sinclair has a bass tournament almost every Saturday year round from several circuits. The older guys seem to be more cautious. Older meaning 50 plus years old. The younger guys haul you know what at if their lives depend on it. Younger meaning 20-35 years old. I’ve seen some insane moves by the younger anglers in these tournaments. Last year one cut the gap between two pontoon boats parallel to each other who were both pulling tubers. High speeds should be expected since every manufacturer is putting enormous engines on their boats so of course the angler uses all the horses the manufacturer will give them.