Schmitt has 47-13 and a 2-13 lead over Cory Johnston. Chad Mrazek’s 9-pounder takes Day 2 Big Bass. Top 50 fish Saturday.

SCOTTSBORO, Al (Oct. 2, 2026) — Bryan Schmitt caught 25 pounds, 15 ounces Friday and now leads the 2026 Ultimate Angler World Championship, presented by Unified Pros, on Lake Guntersville. He has 47 pounds, 13 ounces through two days.

Schmitt was tied for seventh after Day 1 with 21-14. He goes into Saturday with a lead of 2 pounds, 13 ounces. The field was cut to the top 50 after Friday’s weigh-in, and those 50 anglers fish the final day.

Cory Johnston is second with 45-0. He weighed 23-1 Friday after 21-15 on Day 1. Buddy Benson is third with 42-15, Andrew Ready is fourth with 42-11 and Matthew Robertson is fifth with 42-4.

It is tight behind them. Less than two pounds separates third from 10th. Kyle Kaser is sixth with 41-6, Kevin Atkinson is seventh with 41-5, Kyle Welcher is eighth with 41-3, Jacob Wheeler is ninth with 41-1 and Nick LeBrun is 10th with 41-0. Justin Lucas was third after Day 1 and is now 11th with 40-10. Takahiro Omori is 12th with 40-8. Day 1 leader Buddy Gross is no longer in the top 12.

Chad Mrazek caught the biggest bass of the tournament Friday, a 9-pound largemouth worth $10,000 for Day 2 Big Bass. Keith Carson had the next biggest at 6-15, and Benson had a 6-6. Chris Lane won Day 1 Big Bass on Thursday with an 8-15.

First place pays $500,000. The total payout is more than $1 million.

Full standings are at Fishing Chaos.

Championship Saturday

Saturday, Oct. 3: The 50 finalists take off at 7 a.m. from Goose Pond Colony. The Ultimate Angler Expo opens at 9 a.m. The final weigh-in starts at 2:30 p.m. After the weigh-in comes the Bass Tracker Classic XL boat giveaway, the championship awards and the crowning of the 2026 Ultimate Angler World Champion. A free concert closes the night with Micah & The Front Porch Pickers, Freebird – Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute, and headliner Hannah Dasher.

The Expo and the concert are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit theultimateangler.org.

About The Ultimate Angler

The Ultimate Angler is the world championship bass fishing tournament, held on Lake Guntersville in Scottsboro, Ala. Top professional, collegiate, regional, and amateur anglers qualify through sanctioned events to compete for more than $1 million in prizes. The week also includes the Outdoor Expo, live entertainment, conservation programs, and family activities.