Tacoma, Washington – Gamakatsu is proud to congratulate pro staff angler Trey McKinney on an incredible 2026 season and his first Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.

The 21 year-old Carbondale, Illinois, native secured the prestigious championship with a second place finish at the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at the St. Lawrence River, finishing the nine event season with 735 points. In the process, McKinney became the youngest angler ever to win the Bassmaster Angler of the Year title, surpassing a record previously held by legendary angler Kevin VanDam, who was 24 when he claimed his first AOY championship in 1992.

McKinney entered the St. Lawrence River event with just two points separating him from Canadian pro Cory Johnston in the AOY standings. With the season championship on the line, McKinney delivered when it mattered most, overcoming a difficult final morning to land a critical 6-pound bass late in the day and secure the title.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment for Trey and something everyone at Gamakatsu is incredibly proud to be a part of,” said Ted Thibault, Gamakatsu USA Sales Manager. “To win Angler of the Year at this level requires an incredible combination of skill, preparation, consistency and perseverance. Trey has shown all of those qualities throughout his career, and watching him put everything together this season has been special. We couldn’t be happier for Trey and his family, and we’re proud to have him representing Gamakatsu on the water.”

The 2026 season was particularly impressive considering the challenges McKinney faced along the way. After finishing runner-up in the AOY race during each of his first two seasons on the Bassmaster Elite Series, McKinney entered 2026 determined to finish the job.

He opened the season with a ninth place finish at Lake Guntersville, followed by a 20th at Lake Martin, 15th at the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, 10th at the Arkansas River and fifth at Lake Murray. Those consistent finishes put McKinney firmly in control of the AOY race heading into the second half of the season.

The road to the championship, however, was anything but easy.

A difficult event at Santee Cooper, compounded by a challenging practice and boat problems, resulted in a 90^th place finish and allowed Johnston to take over the AOY lead. McKinney responded at the Pasquotank River, rallying from a difficult start to finish 11th and regain control of the standings.

After a 21^st place finish at Lake Champlain tightened the race once again, McKinney arrived at the St. Lawrence River knowing he needed a strong performance to finally capture the title that had eluded him for two seasons.  He delivered.  McKinney finished second at St. Lawrence, earned another Century Belt and put the finishing touches on one of the most impressive seasons of his young career.

“This feels unbelievable,” McKinney said following the event. “When I caught the 6-pounder later in the day, I knew that bass had won me $100,000 and Angler of the Year, something I have dreamed of all of my life.”

The $100,000 AOY prize pushed McKinney’s career earnings past the $900,000 mark, an impressive milestone for an angler who is still just 21 years old.  Despite the significance of the accomplishment, McKinney’s approach remains unchanged.

“I know one thing, I’m never going to stop working hard at it,” he said. “When they quit biting is when I quit catching. So, if they are biting, I’m going to catch as many as I can and win as much as I can.”

For Gamakatsu, McKinney’s 2026 Bassmaster Angler of the Year championship represents another milestone in the career of one of professional bass fishing’s brightest young stars. His combination of determination, adaptability and an unwavering drive to improve has made him one of the most accomplished young anglers in the sport.

Gamakatsu congratulates Trey McKinney on his historic 2026 season and looks forward to celebrating many more accomplishments with him in the years ahead.

 

From humble beginnings as Japan’s smallest fishing hook manufacturer in 1955, Gamakatsu has evolved into the world’s preeminent hook manufacturer. Continuous manufacturing upgrades and cutting-edge innovation have fueled Gamakatsu’s growth as a leading producer of fishing hooks, apparel, and performance gear. When anglers purchase Gamakatsu products, they are investing in original designs manufactured exclusively by the company. Gamakatsu remains committed to testing new materials and advancing technology that continues to set the industry standard. For more information, please visit www.gamakatsu.com.