Crawford, Wagner get last laugh with win at Bassmaster Classic Celebrity Pro-Am
March 19, 2025
FORT WORTH, Texas — Comedian and actor Lavell Crawford and Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Emil Wagner teamed up to win the 2nd annual Progressive Bassmaster Classic Celebrity Pro-Am driven by Yokohama Tire to kick off the extravaganza of activities that surround the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour in Fort Worth, Texas.
“I called (the win) … I called it,” Crawford said. “You got to think things into existence if you want it. I had a great time. It was so fun. Emil’s a great kid and we had a good time out there on the water.
“They said I didn’t catch anything, but hey, man, I put in work. I would have caught them if they had bit my line, that’s all I can say,” Crawford laughed.
The team won a set of Yokohama tires and a $2,500 Bass Pro Shops gift card.
The Pro-Am boasted a wide variety of celebrity guests, ranging from NFL, NASCAR, WWE and Olympic athletes to musicians, actors, comedians and other celebrities. The star-studded field teamed with a host of pro anglers, including pros from the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series and the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN, in kicking off Classic week events.
The Pro-Am celebrates the meteoric rise of competitive fishing in pop culture and featured teams of celebrities matched with some of the world’s best anglers.
The celebrity guests featured included:
- Social media influencer and reigning Bassmaster Classic Pro-Am champion Hood Fishing Entertainment
- Barstool Sports talent/host Sydnie Wells
- Tennessee Titans defensive linebacker Jeffery Simmons
- Baltimore Ravens guard Ben Cleveland
- Three-time Olympic gold medalist for shot put and discus Ryan Crouser
- NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain
- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen
- Social media personality Justin Chiasson (Stalekracker)
- Comedian and actor Lavell Crawford
- U.S Marine Veteran & Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer
- BlacktipH content creator/designer Jake Jorgensen
- Bluegrass music artist Billy Strings
- Southern Methodist University Head Football Coach Rhett Lashlee
- Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Kevin Dotson
- 8-year NFL veteran Barkevious Mingo
- WWE Superstar Bron Breakker
- WWE Superstar Tony D’Angelo
- TV personality Heavy D (Diesel Brothers)
- TV personality Diesel Dave (Diesel Brothers)
- Canadian TV personality Pat Roach (Trailer Park Boys)
- Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damone Clark
- 12-year NFL veteran Trent Cole
Celebrities in the Pro-Am were paired with some of the biggest names in bass fishing, including:
- 50-year Bassmaster pro and four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn
- 30-year Bassmaster pro and Bassmaster Classic champion Mike Iaconelli
- Two-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year and 20-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier Gerald Swindle
- Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Andrew Loberg
- Two-time Bassmaster Elite Series champion and Bassmaster Rookie of the Year Joey Cifuentes
- Two-time Bassmaster High School All-American Tucker Smith
- Sixteen-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier and Bassmaster Classic champion Randy Howell
- 2021 B.A.S.S. Nation champion Matty Wong
- Two-time Bassmaster Opens champion and Bassmaster Team Championship champion Matt Robertson
- 2021 Bassmaster Northern Opens Angler of the Year Jonathan Kelley
- Three-time Elite Series champion Steve Kennedy
- Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Emil Wagner
- Two-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year and six-time Bassmaster Elite Series champion Brandon Palaniuk
- Bassmaster Elite Series champion Luke Palmer
- Two-time Bassmaster Elite Series champion Bill Lowen
- Three-time Bassmaster Opens champion Stephen Browning
- Bassmaster Opens champion Cliff Crochet
- Bassmaster Elite Series rookie and Bassmaster College Series champion Beau Browning
- Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Paul Marks
- Bassmaster Elite Series newcomer and seven-year professional angler Dakota Ebare
- Bassmaster Opens champion and Bassmaster College Classic Bracket champion Tristan McCormick
- Bassmaster Opens pro and BassmastHER ambassador Anastasia Patterson
The pairings for the 2025 Bassmaster Classic Progressive Celebrity Pro-Am driven by Yokohama Tire were:
- Dakota Ebare and Hood Fishing Entertainment
- Joey Cifuentes and Ben Cleveland
- Tucker Smith and Sydnie Wells
- Rick Clunn and Ross Chastain
- Gerald Swindle and Dakota Meyer
- Mike Iaconelli and Billy Strings
- Matty Wong and Diesel Dave (Diesel Brothers)
- Matt Robertson and Tony D’Angelo
- Jonathan Kelley and Jake Jorgensen
- Steve Kennedy and Rhett Lashlee
- Brandon Palaniuk and Heavy D (Diesel Brothers)
- Luke Palmer and Pat Roach (Trailer Park Boys)
- Bill Lowen and Bron Breakker
- Cliff Crochet and Justin Chiasson (Stalekracker)
- Beau Browning and Ryan Crouser
- Emil Wagner and Lavell Crawford
- Paul Marks and Kevin Dotson
- Andrew Loberg and Barkevious Mingo
- Randy Howell and Jeffery Simmons
- Stephen Browning and Trent Cole
- Tristan McCormick and Patrick Queen
- Anastasia Patterson and Damone Clark
Coverage of the 2025 Bassmaster Classic Progressive Celebrity Pro-Am driven by Yokohama Tire will be presented on The Roku Channel on April 5.
2025 Bassmaster Classic Progressive Celebrity Pro-Am Driven by Yokohama 3/19-3/19
Eagle Mountain Lake , Fort Worth TX.
Team
1. Emil Wagner – Lavell Crawford
Day 1: 2 12-09 Total: 2 12-09
2. Brandon Palaniuk – Heavy D
Day 1: 1 10-12 Total: 1 10-12
3. Beau Browning – Ryan Crouser
Day 1: 4 09-15 Total: 4 09-15
4. Steve Kennedy – Rhett Lashlee
Day 1: 2 09-15 Total: 2 09-15
5. Joey Cifuentes III – Ben Cleveland
Day 1: 3 08-10 Total: 3 08-10
6. Rick Clunn – Ross Chastain
Day 1: 4 06-09 Total: 4 06-09
7. Jonathan Kelley – Jake Jorgensen
Day 1: 2 06-00 Total: 2 06-00
8. Randy Howell – Jeffrey Simmons
Day 1: 2 05-01 Total: 2 05-01
9. Dakota Ebare – Hood Fishing Entertainment
Day 1: 2 05-00 Total: 2 05-00
10. Cliff Crochet – Stalekracker
Day 1: 1 04-08 Total: 1 04-08
11. Matty Wong – Diesel Dave
Day 1: 2 03-15 Total: 2 03-15
12. Paul Marks – Kevin Dotson
Day 1: 2 03-14 Total: 2 03-14
13. Tucker Smith – Sydnie Wells
Day 1: 1 03-09 Total: 1 03-09
14. Stephen Browning – Trent Cole
Day 1: 1 03-00 Total: 1 03-00
14. Michael Iaconelli – Billy Strings
Day 1: 1 03-00 Total: 1 03-00
16. Andrew Loberg – Barkevious Mingo
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
16. Bill Lowen – Bronson Steiner
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
16. Tristan McCormick – Patrick Queen
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
16. Luke Palmer – Pat Roach
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
16. Anastasia Patterson – Damone Clark
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
16. Matt Robertson – Tony D’Angelo
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
16. Gerald Swindle – Dakota Meyer
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
——————————
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 0 30 96-05
——————————
0 30 96-05
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About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
