Oklahoma Elite Cranford takes Day 1 lead in wind-blown Grand Lake Open

GROVE, Okla. — Oklahoma pro Austin Cranford hasn’t been pleased with his results on the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series tour four events into his rookie season, so he jumped into the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees presented by Battery Tender hoping to get back on track. Through Day 1, it seems to have worked, as the 30 year-old weighed in 21 pounds 3 ounces of bass to lead New Mexico’s Rick Harris Jr. by an ounce.

“It’s no secret that I’ve had a rough year this year,” Cranford said. “I’ve been looking for that one day to get my mojo back. I was in a funk and needed something to finally go right and that starts with just one bite.”

Thursday’s first day of competition proved to be a battle with Mother Nature. Prior to the event, Cranford stated that he expected the water to be in Grand’s bushes, leading to an old-school bush flipping tournament. Instead, the bottom fell out and once-flooded cover sat high and dry. On top of that, the wind blew consistently from the south at 20 miles per hour today, with gusts at time of at least twice that much.

“We’re just getting ready for Buffalo if you’re in Division 1,” Tournament Director Hank Weldon joked.

While Cranford had hoped for rising water that would send big bass rushing to the shallows, once he realized that wasn’t going to happen, he changed course and practiced with the intention of finding where those fish would go. His bag included a 5-8 bass, and he said that it’s hard to amass 20 pounds without at least one of those big bites. He tried to save as much as he could today, and “bailed out” once he had that big bag, partially because he didn’t want other competitors to see where he was fishing. He hopes that the wind will kick up again on Friday, although it’s not supposed to do so.

“I hope that it blows 100 miles per hour,” he said. “The bigger the waves the better. It makes them bite, but I’m afraid that it won’t actually blow tomorrow.”

Harris agreed that the wind “helped a lot” and noted that the falling water moved bass from the willow bushes he’d been fishing onto rock cover.

“I had one big 6-pound bite in practice that keyed me in,” he said. “Those types of fish aren’t random.”

He culled multiple times throughout the day, including one close to check-in time that helped him substantially and said that his prime areas still have lots of quality fish. While he now resides in New Mexico, he cut his teeth fishing and guiding in Texas, most notably on Lake Amistad, and is therefore no stranger to big fish. Earlier in his career he won another AAA tournament on Lake Texoma.

“I’d say Oklahoma has been very good to me,” he said.

Former Elite Series pro Casey Scanlon is in 3^rd place with 20-14.

“The fish are biting,” he said. “But in practice I intentionally avoided a bunch of stuff and felt like I was going to catch a 12-pound limit. I started over in the changing conditions and fished new water all day. It’s always good any time we’re in Missouri, Arkansas or Oklahoma. I feel right at home.”

Scanlon competed in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic on Grand and finished 44^th but didn’t get a shot at Classic redemption until last month in Knoxville. He qualified for his second bite at the apple by winning last year’s Bassmaster Open on Norfork Lake in Arkansas. It was his second career Open win, both in the Ozarks region. If he can make it three, he’ll get a chance to compete in Greenville next March.

Alabama’s Wyatt Burkhalter is an ounce behind Scanlon. He said that after a tough practice he “would have taken 13 pounds and been happy with it.” After today’s washing machine ride, he was glad he didn’t make that deal. It’s his first time at Grand, but he’s hoping that his pattern holds up for two more days.

“I’m good buddies with Justin Hamner, who won the 2024 Classic here,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll get some of that Classic juju.”

Kristine Fischer, a noted kayak angler and BassmastHER Ambassador who has added the Opens to her schedule in recent years, sits in 6^th, with 20-4. She admitted that she’d struggled in making the switch to a larger boat and was concerned that she’d bitten off more than she could chew, but today’s catch had her ebullient on the stage.

“This is what I really needed,” she said.

If she can rise a few spots in the standings over the next two days, Fischer has a chance to become the highest-finishing female angler in Bassmaster Opens history. That high water mark was set in 2013 by Christie Bradley of Virginia, who finished 4^th in an Open at Tennessee’s Douglas Lake. Bradley has been one of Fischer’s mentors.

“Women’s fishing can be tough,” Fischer said. “There’s a lot of gatekeeping. But Christie is one of the ones who has helped me a lot. I’m so blessed to have her in my life. She’s an absolute inspiration.”

While the anglers were understandably tight-lipped about locations and patterns, it appears that in this event where forward-facing sonar is prohibited, most are power fishing. Many went true Oklahoma old school today with big spinnerbaits to take advantage of the windy conditions.

Overall, despite or perhaps because of the conditions, Grand Lake showed why Bassmaster returns again and again. It’s simply loaded with quality bass. Seventy-eight competitors weighed in 13 pounds or more, and a remarkable 146 out of 195 brought 10 or more pounds to the scales. That means it’s a wide-open tournament in terms of who will push through to Championship Saturday.

Jonathan Pimentel of Missouri caught the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the day, a 5-14 largemouth.

The full field of anglers will launch from Wolf Creek Park beginning at 6:30 a.m. CT and return for weigh-in starting at 2:30 p.m. The Top 10 anglers after Day 2 will compete on Championship Friday and the winner will earn a spot in the 2027 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.

Follow along with all of the action from the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Grand Lake O' the Cherokees presented by Battery Tender on Bassmaster.com.

Grove Convention and Tourism Bureau is hosting this event.

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Turtlebox

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: Battery Tender

2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mountain Dew, Nitro Boats, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2026 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Lew's, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, VMC, Yokohama

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 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Battery Tender, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, 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, Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks 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.

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Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, [email protected]

2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Grand Lake presented by Battery Tender 4/23-4/25
Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, Grove  OK.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Austin Cranford        Oklahoma City, OK        5  21-03    0
Day 1: 5   21-03
2.  Rick Harris Jr         Carlsbad, NM             5  21-02  200
Day 1: 5   21-02
3.  Casey Scanlon          Eldon, MO                5  20-14  199
Day 1: 5   20-14
4.  Wyatt Burkhalter       Coker, AL                5  20-13  198
Day 1: 5   20-13
5.  Wesley Baxley          Conroe, TX               5  20-07  197
Day 1: 5   20-07
6.  Kristine Fischer       Spring City, NE          5  20-04  196
Day 1: 5   20-04
7.  Jonathan Pimentel      Camdenton, MO            5  19-13  195
Day 1: 5   19-13
8.  Harmon Marien          Eagle River, WI          5  19-00  194
Day 1: 5   19-00
9.  Cole Findley           Forsyth, MO              5  18-12    0
Day 1: 5   18-12
10. Steve Tennison         Lexington, OK            5  18-09  193
Day 1: 5   18-09
11. Dylan Fogarty          Mechanicsburg, PA        5  18-07  192
Day 1: 5   18-07
12. Dillon Falardeau       Hixson, TN               5  17-10  191
Day 1: 5   17-10
13. Garrett Paquette       Canton, MI               5  17-09  190
Day 1: 5   17-09
14. Bryan Partak           Marseilles, IL           5  16-14  189
Day 1: 5   16-14
15. Darold Gleason         Leesville, LA            5  16-12  188
Day 1: 5   16-12
16. Evan Cox-VanVliet      Loveland, CO             5  16-09  187
Day 1: 5   16-09
17. Kollin Crawford        Broken Bow, OK           5  16-03  186
Day 1: 5   16-03
17. Bailey Gay             Union, KY                5  16-03  186
Day 1: 5   16-03
17. A.J. Menssen           Bloomington, IL          5  16-03  186
Day 1: 5   16-03
20. Zane Parker            Kingwood, TX             5  16-01  183
Day 1: 5   16-01
21. Brody Robison          Dawson, AL               5  16-00  182
Day 1: 5   16-00
22. Freddy  Palmer         Estill Springs, TN       5  15-14  181
Day 1: 5   15-14
23. Lonnie Cochran         Section, AL              5  15-13  180
Day 1: 5   15-13
24. Hugh Cosculluela       Spring, TX               5  15-12  179
Day 1: 5   15-12
24. Wyatt Marler           Oldfield, MO             5  15-12  179
Day 1: 5   15-12
26. Joe Wieberg            Freeburg, MO             5  15-09  177
Day 1: 5   15-09
27. Tanner Visco           Antioch, IL              5  15-08  176
Day 1: 5   15-08
28. Andrew Behnke          Fond Du Lac, WI          5  15-07  175
Day 1: 5   15-07
29. TJ Edwards Jr          Tremont, MS              5  15-06  174
Day 1: 5   15-06
30. Yui Aoki               Minamitsurugun JAPAN     5  15-04  173
Day 1: 5   15-04
31. Justin Layton          Kirbyville, MO           5  15-03    0
Day 1: 5   15-03
31. Kyle Metzger           Pearl River, LA          5  15-03  172
Day 1: 5   15-03
33. Rylan Hamlin           Jackson, MI              5  15-02  171
Day 1: 5   15-02
34. Jacob Welch            Roach, MO                5  15-01  170
Day 1: 5   15-01
35. Brock Bila             Republic, MO             5  15-00  169
Day 1: 5   15-00
36. Garrett McWilliams     Florence, MS             5  14-15  168
Day 1: 5   14-15
36. Bo Thomas              Edwardsburg, MI          5  14-15  168
Day 1: 5   14-15
38. James Biggs            Comanche, TX             5  14-14  166
Day 1: 5   14-14
39. Ty Faber               Pagosa Springs, CO       5  14-13  165
Day 1: 5   14-13
39. Nick Lawler            Ava, MO                  5  14-13  165
Day 1: 5   14-13
41. Connor Cunningham      Springfield , MO         5  14-11  163
Day 1: 5   14-11
42. Alex Heintze           Denham Springs, LA       5  14-10  162
Day 1: 5   14-10
43. Sam Ausbrooks          Loogootee, IN            5  14-09  161
Day 1: 5   14-09
43. Joseph Hardy           China Spring, TX         5  14-09  161
Day 1: 5   14-09
43. Seiji Kato             Forney TX JAPAN          5  14-09  161
Day 1: 5   14-09
46. Hunter Crossland       San Angelo, TX           5  14-08  158
Day 1: 5   14-08
47. Lucas Toliver          Paw Paw, MI              5  14-05  157
Day 1: 5   14-05
48. Riley Harris           Orange, TX               5  14-05  156
Day 1: 5   14-05
49. Chris Beaudrie         Princeton, KY            5  14-04  155
Day 1: 5   14-04
49. Kyle Schutta           Forest Lake, MN          5  14-04    0
Day 1: 5   14-04
51. Cole McAusland         Tuscaloosa, AL           5  14-04  154
Day 1: 5   14-04
52. Grae Buck              Green Lane, PA           5  14-03  153
Day 1: 5   14-03
52. Josh Pladies           Lees Summit, MO          5  14-03  153
Day 1: 5   14-03
52. Ian Waterer            East Selkirk CANADA      5  14-03  153
Day 1: 5   14-03
52. Dylan Welton           Middleville, MI          5  14-03  153
Day 1: 5   14-03
52. Alex Wetherell         Middletown, CT           5  14-03  153
Day 1: 5   14-03
57. Matt Pangrac           Shawnee, OK              5  14-00  148
Day 1: 5   14-00
58. Byron Hill             Clermont, FL             5  13-15  147
Day 1: 5   13-15
58. Justin Latham          Reelsville, IN           5  13-15  147
Day 1: 5   13-15
60. Joey Punko             Broomfield, CO           5  13-14  145
Day 1: 5   13-14
61. Kurt Dove              Del Rio, TX              5  13-13  144
Day 1: 5   13-13
61. Jeremiah Kindy         Benton, AR               5  13-13  144
Day 1: 5   13-13
63. Jordan Hartman         Benton, KY               5  13-12  142
Day 1: 5   13-12
64. Jason Bonds            Lufkin, TX               4  13-12  141
Day 1: 4   13-12
65. Matt Stefan            Junction City, WI        5  13-11  140
Day 1: 5   13-11
65. Chris Whitson          Louisville, TN           5  13-11  140
Day 1: 5   13-11
67. Anthony Garcia         Los Angeles, CA          5  13-10  138
Day 1: 5   13-10
67. Brian Post             Janesville, WI           5  13-10  138
Day 1: 5   13-10
67. Zachary Ward           Cabot, AR                5  13-10  138
Day 1: 5   13-10
70. Clark Reehm            Elm Grove, LA            5  13-09  135
Day 1: 5   13-09
71. Nate Caldwell          Fort Collins, CO         5  13-07  134
Day 1: 5   13-07
72. Frank Scalish          Mount Gilead, OH         4  13-07  133
Day 1: 4   13-07
73. Blake Schroeder        Bullard, TX              5  13-06  132
Day 1: 5   13-06
74. Eddie Carper           Valliant, OK             5  13-05  131
Day 1: 5   13-05
75. Grant Neubauer         Medford, WI              5  13-03  130
Day 1: 5   13-03
76. Ethan Fields           Carlyle, IL              5  13-02  129
Day 1: 5   13-02
77. Andrew Jones           Trussville, AL           5  13-01  128
Day 1: 5   13-01
78. Scott Ashmore          Broken Arrow, OK         5  13-00    0
Day 1: 5   13-00
78. Chris Lewis            Hallsville, TX           5  13-00  127
Day 1: 5   13-00
78. Cameron Mattison       Benton, LA               5  13-00    0
Day 1: 5   13-00
81. Michael Harlin         Osage Beach, MO          5  12-15  126
Day 1: 5   12-15
82. Brad Jelinek           Lincoln, MO              5  12-14  125
Day 1: 5   12-14
83. Nathan Reynolds        Nashville, TN            5  12-13  124
Day 1: 5   12-13
84. Stephen Browning       Hot Springs, AR          5  12-12  123
Day 1: 5   12-12
84. Chris Johnson          Farmington, AR           5  12-12  123
Day 1: 5   12-12
84. Brien Vaughn           Lampe, MO                5  12-12  123
Day 1: 5   12-12
87. Jeremy Lawyer          Sarcoxie, MO             5  12-11  120
Day 1: 5   12-11
87. Adam Rasmussen         Sturgeon Bay, WI         5  12-11  120
Day 1: 5   12-11
89. Andy Newcomb           Camdenton, MO            5  12-10  118
Day 1: 5   12-10
89. Chad Pipkens           Dewitt, MI               5  12-10  118
Day 1: 5   12-10
91. Jaron Burr             Bowling Green, KY        5  12-09  116
Day 1: 5   12-09
91. Chase Clarke           Virginia Beach, VA       5  12-09  116
Day 1: 5   12-09
91. Bj Miller              Adams, NE                5  12-09  116
Day 1: 5   12-09
91. Niko Romero            Coldspring, TX           5  12-09  116
Day 1: 5   12-09
91. Ryan Salzman           Huntsville, AL           5  12-09  116
Day 1: 5   12-09
96. Chris Hellebuyck       White Lake, MI           5  12-08  111
Day 1: 5   12-08
97. Kyle Palmer            Elora, TN                5  12-07  110
Day 1: 5   12-07
98. Tommy Parker           Delano, MN               5  12-06  109
Day 1: 5   12-06
99. Billy Gilbert          Hamburg, NY              5  12-04  108
Day 1: 5   12-04
100. Brandon Ackerson       Afton, OK                5  12-03  107
Day 1: 5   12-03
101. Jim Dillard            West Monroe, LA          5  12-02  106
Day 1: 5   12-02
102. Trey Schroeder         Theodosia, MO            5  12-00  105
Day 1: 5   12-00
103. Tristan McCormick      Bon Aqua, TN             5  11-15  104
Day 1: 5   11-15
104. James Chandler         Liberty, TX              5  11-13  103
Day 1: 5   11-13
104. Nic Rand               Paw Paw, MI              5  11-13  103
Day 1: 5   11-13
104. Nathan Thompson        Eagan, MN                5  11-13  103
Day 1: 5   11-13
107. David Perdue           Wirtz, VA                5  11-12  100
Day 1: 5   11-12
108. Tommy Dickerson        Orange, TX               5  11-11   99
Day 1: 5   11-11
109. Laker Howell           Guntersville, AL         5  11-11   98
Day 1: 5   11-11
110. Ryan Michl             Newton, IL               5  11-10   97
Day 1: 5   11-10
110. Isaac Peavyhouse       Monroe, TN               5  11-10   97
Day 1: 5   11-10
110. Danny Ramsey           Trinidad, TX             5  11-10   97
Day 1: 5   11-10
113. Keith Brashers         Rogers, AR               5  11-09   94
Day 1: 5   11-09
113. Jordan Knutson         Saint Croix Falls, WI    5  11-09   94
Day 1: 5   11-09
115. Ryan Thompson          Seymour, MO              5  11-08   92
Day 1: 5   11-08
116. John Branch            Magnolia, KY             5  11-07   91
Day 1: 5   11-07
116. James Campise          Brookeland, TX           5  11-07   91
Day 1: 5   11-07
116. Brad Ragsdale          Fairland, OK             5  11-07   91
Day 1: 5   11-07
119. Josh Cruse             Pocahontas, AR           5  11-06    0
Day 1: 5   11-06
119. Mike McClelland        Blue Eye, MO             5  11-06   88
Day 1: 5   11-06
121. Cody Bertrand          Dyer, IN                 5  11-05   87
Day 1: 5   11-05
121. David Brand            Dittmer, MO              5  11-05   87
Day 1: 5   11-05
121. Colby Dark             West Monroe, LA          5  11-05   87
Day 1: 5   11-05
121. Brennan Flick          West Monroe, LA          5  11-05   87
Day 1: 5   11-05
125. Brennan Berglund       Guntersville, AL         5  11-04    0
Day 1: 5   11-04
126. John Mark Berry        Mount Olive, MS          5  11-03   83
Day 1: 5   11-03
126. Blaine Bunney          Claremore, OK            5  11-03   83
Day 1: 5   11-03
128. Jacob Thompkins        Myrtle Beach, SC         5  11-02   81
Day 1: 5   11-02
129. Sho Egawa              Osaka JAPAN              5  11-01   80
Day 1: 5   11-01
129. Chris Miller           Spirit Lake, IA          5  11-01   80
Day 1: 5   11-01
131. Josh Giroldi           Beachville Ontario CANA  5  11-00   78
Day 1: 5   11-00
131. Tyler Wolf             Creston, IA              5  11-00   78
Day 1: 5   11-00
133. Kevin Ledoux           Choctaw, OK              5  10-12   76
Day 1: 5   10-12
133. Anastasia Patterson    Sumter, SC               5  10-12   76
Day 1: 5   10-12
135. Easton Lindus          Woodville, WI            5  10-10   74
Day 1: 5   10-10
136. Nick Marsh             White Lake, MI           5  10-09   73
Day 1: 5   10-09
136. Dylan Minch            Stevens Point, WI        5  10-09   73
Day 1: 5   10-09
136. Riley Nielsen          Salt Lake City, UT       5  10-09   73
Day 1: 5   10-09
139. Doug Chapin            Tigerton, WI             4  10-05   70
Day 1: 4   10-05
140. Lance Crawford         Broken Bow, OK           5  10-03   69
Day 1: 5   10-03
141. Jim Moynagh            Outing, MN               3  10-03   68
Day 1: 3   10-03
142. Jason Adams            Guthrie, OK              5  10-02   67
Day 1: 5   10-02
143. Dalton Head            Moody, AL                5  10-01   66
Day 1: 5   10-01
144. Trevor McKinney        Noble, IL                4  10-01   65
Day 1: 4   10-01
145. Chris Bailey           Eddy, TX                 5  10-00   64
Day 1: 5   10-00
146. Neal Gilmore           Magnolia, TX             3  10-00   63
Day 1: 3   10-00
147. Colby Bryant           Houston, TX              5  09-15   62
Day 1: 5   09-15
148. Joey Hanna             Corsicana, TX            4  09-15   61
Day 1: 4   09-15
149. Erik Brztowski         Lemont, IL               4  09-14   60
Day 1: 4   09-14
149. Jason Horton           Eucha, OK                4  09-14    0
Day 1: 4   09-14
151. David Boelkins         Waukesha, WI             3  09-14   59
Day 1: 3   09-14
152. Jeffrey Barrickman     Forsyth, MO              5  09-12    0
Day 1: 5   09-12
152. Matt Keezer            Kirkland Quebec CANADA   5  09-12   58
Day 1: 5   09-12
154. Ken Day                Kennewick, WA            4  09-12   57
Day 1: 4   09-12
155. Gary Hall              Wardville, OK            5  09-11   56
Day 1: 5   09-11
156. Cody Bird              Granbury, TX             5  09-10   55
Day 1: 5   09-10
156. Kole Poindexter        Norman, OK               5  09-10    0
Day 1: 5   09-10
158. Tim Sprouse            Clarksville, TN          5  09-08   54
Day 1: 5   09-08
158. Mikey Weems            Hull, TX                 5  09-08   54
Day 1: 5   09-08
160. Ish Monroe             Oakdale, CA              4  09-07   52
Day 1: 4   09-07
161. Trace Freeman          Northport, AL            5  09-04   51
Day 1: 5   09-04
162. Dave Parsons           Yantis, TX               5  09-03   50
Day 1: 5   09-03
163. Kyoya Fujita           Yamanashi CA JAPAN       5  09-02    0
Day 1: 5   09-02
164. Jeremy Johnson         Leavenworth, KS          3  09-01    0
Day 1: 3   09-01
165. Teb Jones              Yalaha, MS               5  08-13   49
Day 1: 5   08-13
166. Yusuke Miyazaki        Forney, TX               4  08-10   48
Day 1: 4   08-10
167. Clay Henderson         Purdy, MO                4  08-06   47
Day 1: 4   08-06
167. Yukihiro Sawamura      Harker Heights, TX       4  08-06   47
Day 1: 4   08-06
169. John Engler III        Vinton, IA               3  08-06   45
Day 1: 3   08-06
170. Justin Blackert        Olathe, KS               3  08-02   44
Day 1: 3   08-02
171. Luke Kerstetter        Seymour, TN              3  08-01   43
Day 1: 3   08-01
172. Peyton Harris          Birmingham, AL           4  07-15   42
Day 1: 4   07-15
172. Brent Shores           Savannah, TN             4  07-15   42
Day 1: 4   07-15
174. Kenta Kimura           Osaka OK JAPAN           3  07-10    0
Day 1: 3   07-10
175. Andy Beloat            Montgomery, TX           3  07-08   40
Day 1: 3   07-08
176. Charlie Hartley        Grove City, OH           3  07-07   39
Day 1: 3   07-07
177. Wade Denney            Nampa, ID                3  07-06   38
Day 1: 3   07-06
178. Lane Stephens          Owasso, OK               4  07-05   37
Day 1: 4   07-05
179. Steven Doolittle       Chelsea, OK              3  07-01   36
Day 1: 3   07-01
179. Marshall Halverson     Johnston, IA             3  07-01    0
Day 1: 3   07-01
181. Hayden Marbut          Birmingham, AL           3  06-02   35
Day 1: 3   06-02
182. Brett Hite             Phoenix, AZ              3  06-01   34
Day 1: 3   06-01
183. Frank Mixon            Abilene, TX              2  04-10   33
Day 1: 2   04-10
183. Scott Nielsen          Murray, UT               2  04-10   33
Day 1: 2   04-10
185. Wyatt Wisian           Ardmore, OK              2  03-14   31
Day 1: 2   03-14
186. Jack York              Emory, TX                2  03-12   30
Day 1: 2   03-12
187. Bryan Hoffman          Andrews, TX              2  03-08   29
Day 1: 2   03-08
188. Cory Williams          Greenville, KY           1  03-03    0
Day 1: 1   03-03
189. Darrell Ivey           Lebanon, MO              1  02-10   28
Day 1: 1   02-10
190. Jace Lindsay           Beckville, TX            1  02-03   27
Day 1: 1   02-03
191. Johnny Grice           Arp, TX                  1  02-02   26
Day 1: 1   02-02
192. Kyle Zacharuk          Keswick Ontario CANADA   1  02-00   25
Day 1: 1   02-00
193. Clay Dyer              Fayetteville, TN         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
193. Tracy Mitchell         Springfield, MO          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
193. Rick Pierce            Mountain Home, AR        0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1       152       880      2337-08
----------------------------------
152       880      2337-08

by AnglersChannel

Texas’ Andrew Rickman vaults into lead at Toledo Bend B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier

MANY, La. — Riding the strength of back-to-back 30-pound bags, Andrew Rickman has put himself in prime position to win the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Toledo Bend Reservoir presented by Lowrance.

Rickman, a 24-year-old angler from Canton, Texas, caught a limit of five largemouth bass weighing 34 pounds, 2 ounces and pulled into the lead Thursday on Day 2 of this three-day derby. That tremendous haul, Rickman’s personal best in tournament competition, gave him a two-day weight of 66-5.

Rickman was in second place after Day 1 with a 32-3 limit (a monster bag by any standard), and then he went bigger. It was a heck of a show from a newcomer to the massive 185,000-acre reservoir that forms a portion of the Louisiana-Texas border.

“Monday’s practice was the first time I’ve ever been to Toledo Bend,” Rickman said, chuckling. “I didn’t know much of anything about it, but it’s worked out well so far.”

Rickman said he’s using a particular technique to excel on a fishery that was unknown to him four days ago. Understandably, he wasn’t quite ready to talk specifics of his lure or presentation just yet, but he noted that everything must be “perfect” to get the biggest Toledo Bend bass in the boat.

“I’ve got the right bait in my hand in front of the big ones,” he said. “They’re not dumb. They’re very smart, really, and you have to make sure everything is 100-percent perfect. The bait’s gotta’ be perfect, the line’s gotta’ be perfect. If you’re using a leader, that’s gotta’ be perfect.

“It’s not like I’m seeing a lot of huge bass,” he added. “But I’ve been blessed to catch the big ones that I have seen.”

Some of those bites have been opportunistic, Rickman said. Others have come in the early morning when Toledo Bend’s legendary largemouth are gorging on forage throughout the fishery.

“There seems to be a couple bite windows in the day, and the main one is first thing in the morning,” he said. “As soon as you can start casting, you’re catching fish. The bluegill are wanting to spawn. The shad are spawning and the bass are following all of it. I caught one on Wednesday that spit up a bluegill that weighed 1/3 of a pound. It’s crazy out there right now.”

Rickman credited some of this week’s success to experience he’s gained the past two years guiding on Lake Fork. He considers Fork home water and it, like Toledo Bend, is renowned for lunker largemouth like the 9-2 he caught Thursday, the heaviest weighed on Day 2.

“I caught that one about 12 o’clock,” Rickman said, “and when I did, she just lost it. She jumped three or four times. She dove underneath the boat and went almost all the way to the other side. After a good amount of scares and near heart attacks, we got her in the boat.”

Rickman said catching 30-pound limits is not for the faint of heart, but he welcomes the nerves that come with a big tournament title within his grasp.

“Thirty pounds, that’s a mega-stringer,” he said. “I don’t know if I have another bag like that out there, but I’m gonna’ do my best to make it happen. I’ll probably be fishing all new water again on Friday. It’s hard not to do that, because everything here is new to me.”

Day 1 leader Trace Antunes III dropped to second overall with a two-day total of 64 pounds. After weighing a tournament-best 36-3 limit on Wednesday, he caught 27-13 on Thursday.

“I pulled up to my starting spot, and the fish had moved out,” said Antunes, 20, of Henderson, Texas. “I left there with about five pounds and I’d already missed three fish. I ran to some other spots I thought would be good and I caught two 6-pounders. That was encouraging, but then one about the same size jumped off. And then right next to it, I worked a bedding fish, a 6- or 7-pounder, for about 30 minutes before she broke off. I tried her about 20 more minutes, but got nothing.

“I had a lot of low 4-pounders today, some 2s and 3s. Then my lower unit went out, and I came in about 30 minutes early … It was just an off day. I don’t think there will be two off days in a row here, but we’ll see. We’ll have less pressure out there, so that can’t hurt.”

Antunes was referring to the cut that took place after Thursday’s weigh-in. The field of 267 anglers (170 boaters, 97 nonboaters) was narrowed to the Top 20 in both divisions, and they’ve already clinched part of the $78,000-plus cash purse. The top boater will win $11,130 and the top nonboater claims $3,853.

Rounding out the Top 5 on the boater side are, third, Georgia’s Daylon Milam, 58-12; fourth, South Carolina’s Peyton Sorrow, 56-14; and fifth, Texas’ Wyatt Frankens, 54-8.

Tyler Gautreaux, a 34-year-old from Houma, La., caught a 10-2 largemouth on Day 1 and remains in the lead for the tournament’s Big Bass Award.

Oklahoma’s Matt Edwards leads the nonboater field with a pair of three-bass limits totaling 19-2. Texas’ Arron Slaten is second with 15-14, and Oklahoma’s Matt Manners is third with 14 pounds.

The Top 18 in each division at Toledo Bend will advance to the 2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance when it’s held Nov. 18-21 at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, S.C.

Follow along with all of the action from the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Toledo Bend Reservoir presented by Lowrance on Bassmaster.com.

This event is being hosted by Toledo Bend Lake Country.

2026 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury

2026 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance

2026 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2026 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Mountain Dew, Nitro Boats, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2026 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Lew's, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, VMC, Yokohama

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 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Battery Tender, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, 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, Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks 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.

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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, [email protected]

2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Toledo Bend presented by Lowrance 4/22-4/24
Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many  LA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Andrew Rickman         Canton, TX              10  66-05    0
Day 1: 5   32-03     Day 2: 5   34-02
2.  Trace Antunes III      Henderson, TX           10  64-00    0
Day 1: 5   36-03     Day 2: 5   27-13
3.  Daylon Milam           Newnan, GA              10  58-12    0
Day 1: 5   25-05     Day 2: 5   33-07
4.  Peyton Sorrow          Abbeville, SC           10  56-14    0
Day 1: 5   29-12     Day 2: 5   27-02
5.  Wyatt Frankens         Corrigan , TX           10  54-08    0
Day 1: 5   28-08     Day 2: 5   26-00
6.  Kaden Mueck            Livingston, TX          10  52-15    0
Day 1: 5   23-07     Day 2: 5   29-08
7.  Blake Bullock          Seminary, MS            10  47-04    0
Day 1: 5   30-04     Day 2: 5   17-00
8.  Chandler Howell        Guntown, MS             10  45-14    0
Day 1: 5   23-04     Day 2: 5   22-10
9.  Bradley Sullivan       Shawnee, OK             10  45-10    0
Day 1: 5   23-00     Day 2: 5   22-10
10. Braden Lankford        Wagoner, OK             10  42-04    0
Day 1: 5   21-01     Day 2: 5   21-03
11. Lane Clark             Anderson, SC            10  41-14    0
Day 1: 5   21-13     Day 2: 5   20-01
12. Ben Milliken           Omaha, NE               10  39-04    0
Day 1: 5   26-11     Day 2: 5   12-09
13. John James Coco        Baton Rouge, LA         10  38-02    0
Day 1: 5   19-13     Day 2: 5   18-05
14. Joshua Adams           Southlake, TX           10  37-14    0
Day 1: 5   15-02     Day 2: 5   22-12
15. Tayson Hathorn         Elm Springs, AR         10  37-02    0
Day 1: 5   11-01     Day 2: 5   26-01
16. John Kyle  Pearce      Frierson, LA            10  37-01    0
Day 1: 5   26-03     Day 2: 5   10-14
17. Chase Loftus           Iowa City, IA           10  36-12    0
Day 1: 5   20-11     Day 2: 5   16-01
18. Carsen Adcock          Haughton, LA            10  36-08    0
Day 1: 5   20-05     Day 2: 5   16-03
19. Dakota Morris          Flowermound, TX         10  36-02    0
Day 1: 5   20-01     Day 2: 5   16-01
20. Bailey Walker          Many, LA                 8  35-13    0
Day 1: 5   24-13     Day 2: 3   11-00
21. Parker Batts           Dandridge, TN           10  35-10    0     $795.00
Day 1: 5   19-09     Day 2: 5   16-01
22. Sam Taylor             Nacogdoches, TX         10  35-07    0     $795.00
Day 1: 5   19-02     Day 2: 5   16-05
23. River Lee              Diboll, TX              10  35-01    0     $795.00
Day 1: 5   19-08     Day 2: 5   15-09
24. Lane Edwards           Paden, OK               10  34-12    0     $795.00
Day 1: 5   15-04     Day 2: 5   19-08
25. Cody Ross              Livingston, TX          10  33-11    0     $795.00
Day 1: 5   19-11     Day 2: 5   14-00
26. Ben Burns              Lucas, TX               10  32-09    0     $731.00
Day 1: 5   18-10     Day 2: 5   13-15
27. Ben Cully              Conroe, TX              10  32-08    0     $731.00
Day 1: 5   15-06     Day 2: 5   17-02
28. Chance Shelby          Denham Springs, LA      10  32-04    0     $731.00
Day 1: 5   15-09     Day 2: 5   16-11
29. Tre' Gautreau          Prairieville, LA        10  31-09    0     $731.00
Day 1: 5   12-04     Day 2: 5   19-05
30. Andrew Waters          Melissa, TX             10  31-09    0     $731.00
Day 1: 5   17-00     Day 2: 5   14-09
31. Happy Johnson          Santa Fe, NM            10  30-07    0     $731.00
Day 1: 5   17-08     Day 2: 5   12-15
32. Kenji Yamada           Chattanooga, TN         10  29-11    0     $731.00
Day 1: 5   12-06     Day 2: 5   17-05
33. Brent Hill             Yukon, OK               10  29-09    0     $731.00
Day 1: 5   16-06     Day 2: 5   13-03
34. Chuck Black            Logan, NM               10  29-03    0     $731.00
Day 1: 5   16-15     Day 2: 5   12-04
35. Aaron Brewer           Clovis, NM               7  28-08    0     $731.00
Day 1: 2   05-10     Day 2: 5   22-14
36. David Ottman           Terry, MS               10  27-15    0     $731.00
Day 1: 5   15-10     Day 2: 5   12-05
37. Tye Grissom            Austin, TX              10  27-14    0     $731.00
Day 1: 5   15-03     Day 2: 5   12-11
38. Peyton Matherne        Walker, LA              10  27-10    0     $731.00
Day 1: 5   15-15     Day 2: 5   11-11
39. Chris Gaudin           El Dorado, AR           10  27-09    0     $731.00
Day 1: 5   09-03     Day 2: 5   18-06
40. Mike Bueche            Pierre Part, LA         10  27-09    0     $731.00
Day 1: 5   15-02     Day 2: 5   12-07
41. Skyler Koury           Phoenix, AZ             10  27-08    0
Day 1: 5   13-08     Day 2: 5   14-00
42. James Howard           Mesa, AZ                10  27-04    0
Day 1: 5   18-07     Day 2: 5   08-13
43. Cameron Naquin         Gray, LA                10  25-10    0
Day 1: 5   15-13     Day 2: 5   09-13
44. Charles Coger          Robert Lee, TX          10  25-08    0
Day 1: 5   14-13     Day 2: 5   10-11
45. Tyler Casteel          Dequincy, LA            10  25-01    0
Day 1: 5   10-14     Day 2: 5   14-03
46. Hunter Neuville        New Iberia, LA          10  24-14    0
Day 1: 5   12-01     Day 2: 5   12-13
47. Ryan Latch             Lafayette, LA           10  24-13    0
Day 1: 5   12-13     Day 2: 5   12-00
48. Casey Tissue           Vilonia, AR              8  24-12    0
Day 1: 5   14-11     Day 2: 3   10-01
49. Matt Martin            Brookhaven, MS           7  24-11    0
Day 1: 5   20-12     Day 2: 2   03-15
50. Boyd Gautreau          Saint Amant, LA         10  24-11    0
Day 1: 5   12-09     Day 2: 5   12-02
51. Michael Furgerson      Claremore, OK           10  24-11    0
Day 1: 5   12-05     Day 2: 5   12-06
52. Dustin Perry           Paradise, TX             9  24-09    0
Day 1: 5   15-11     Day 2: 4   08-14
53. Doug McClung           Prairieville, LA        10  24-09    0
Day 1: 5   13-04     Day 2: 5   11-05
54. Dean Roberts           Lake Charles, LA        10  24-09    0
Day 1: 5   11-08     Day 2: 5   13-01
55. Norman Uptain Jr.      Globe, AZ               10  24-05    0
Day 1: 5   12-03     Day 2: 5   12-02
56. Kade Palmer            Walker, LA              10  23-15    0
Day 1: 5   12-14     Day 2: 5   11-01
57. Mathew Higby           Lamar, AR                9  23-15    0
Day 1: 5   12-12     Day 2: 4   11-03
58. Cameron Tull           Norman, OK               7  23-10    0
Day 1: 3   09-01     Day 2: 4   14-09
59. John Fuqua             Payson, AZ               7  22-12    0
Day 1: 5   14-11     Day 2: 2   08-01
60. Nick Ladart            Sterlington, LA          8  22-05    0
Day 1: 5   15-00     Day 2: 3   07-05
61. Tyler Gautreaux        Houma, LA                7  22-01    0
Day 1: 5   18-09     Day 2: 2   03-08
62. Cory Ramsey            De Kalb, TX              7  21-15    0
Day 1: 4   11-04     Day 2: 3   10-11
63. Eric Leger             Mamou, LA                9  21-09    0
Day 1: 5   13-00     Day 2: 4   08-09
64. Nick Richey            Aledo, TX                9  21-01    0
Day 1: 4   09-00     Day 2: 5   12-01
65. Branden Rannekleiv     Reeves, LA              10  21-01    0
Day 1: 5   11-02     Day 2: 5   09-15
66. Harvey Horne           Bella Vista, AR          9  21-00    0
Day 1: 5   11-10     Day 2: 4   09-06
67. Shannon Green          Lebanon, MO              8  21-00    0
Day 1: 5   11-05     Day 2: 3   09-11
68. Dave Cavell            Prairieville, LA        10  21-00    0
Day 1: 5   10-07     Day 2: 5   10-09
69. Lane Haeger            Flint, TX                8  20-14    0
Day 1: 4   11-10     Day 2: 4   09-04
70. Marcus Warren          Jefferson City, TN       9  20-07    0
Day 1: 4   09-09     Day 2: 5   10-14
71. Ben Burk               Norman, OK               9  20-07    0
Day 1: 4   10-06     Day 2: 5   10-01
72. Brian Hickey           Pueblo, CO               9  20-05    0
Day 1: 5   13-03     Day 2: 4   07-02
73. Skip Rayborn Jr        Hammond, LA              8  20-05    0
Day 1: 5   13-00     Day 2: 3   07-05
74. Cayden Reily           Baton Rouge, LA          9  20-01    0
Day 1: 5   10-11     Day 2: 4   09-06
75. Richard Ballard II     Sulphur, LA             10  20-01    0
Day 1: 5   10-05     Day 2: 5   09-12
76. Austin Melville        San Tan Valley, AZ       8  20-00    0
Day 1: 3   07-15     Day 2: 5   12-01
77. Ricky Vines            El Dorado, AR            9  19-15    0
Day 1: 4   08-12     Day 2: 5   11-03
78. Austin Casteel         Sulphur, LA              9  19-09    0
Day 1: 4   05-13     Day 2: 5   13-12
79. Brandon Soliz          Robert Lee, TX           9  19-09    0
Day 1: 4   07-09     Day 2: 5   12-00
80. Jered Grooms           Ada, OK                  8  19-09    0
Day 1: 5   10-12     Day 2: 3   08-13
81. Allen Musser           Ada, OK                 10  19-08    0
Day 1: 5   11-01     Day 2: 5   08-07
82. John Pecoraro          Youngsville, LA         10  19-05    0
Day 1: 5   09-12     Day 2: 5   09-09
83. Joseph Hart            Brookhaven, MS           8  18-05    0
Day 1: 5   12-12     Day 2: 3   05-09
84. Teddy Granier          Thibodaux, LA            8  18-05    0
Day 1: 5   12-01     Day 2: 3   06-04
85. Jason Pittman          Covington, MS            8  18-03    0
Day 1: 5   10-09     Day 2: 3   07-10
86. Greg Cooper            Monroe City, MO          8  17-04    0
Day 1: 4   08-03     Day 2: 4   09-01
87. Austin Legendre        Donaldsonville, LA       8  17-03    0
Day 1: 4   07-03     Day 2: 4   10-00
88. Brannon Long           Longview, TX             7  17-01    0
Day 1: 5   13-01     Day 2: 2   04-00
89. Brady Schran           Zumbrota, MN             7  17-01    0
Day 1: 4   09-08     Day 2: 3   07-09
90. Jeffery Lawson         Ellisville, MS           8  16-08    0
Day 1: 5   10-07     Day 2: 3   06-01
91. Stephen Mitchell       Ferriday, LA             8  16-07    0
Day 1: 3   05-14     Day 2: 5   10-09
92. Phil Clopton           Macks Creek, MO          7  16-06    0
Day 1: 4   11-04     Day 2: 3   05-02
93. Austin Monroe          Albuquerque, NM          7  16-03    0
Day 1: 5   11-07     Day 2: 2   04-12
94. Corey Wheat            Gonzales, LA             5  16-03    0
Day 1: 2   07-04     Day 2: 3   08-15
95. Jeremy Fuentes         Carlsbad, NM             6  16-02    0
Day 1: 4   10-14     Day 2: 2   05-04
96. Charley Williams       Mannford, OK             6  15-05    0
Day 1: 2   03-01     Day 2: 4   12-04
97. Sam Jenkins            Abita Springs, LA        7  15-03    0
Day 1: 5   09-15     Day 2: 2   05-04
98. Randy Campbell         Tijeras, NM              7  15-03    0
Day 1: 2   05-07     Day 2: 5   09-12
99. Steve Lund             Cave Creek, AZ           8  15-03    0
Day 1: 4   07-11     Day 2: 4   07-08
100. Jacob Sepeda           Paradise, TX             6  14-09    0
Day 1: 5   12-02     Day 2: 1   02-07
101. Chadwick Washington    Yukon, OK                6  14-07    0
Day 1: 3   07-10     Day 2: 3   06-13
102. Nathan Pratt           Albuquerque, NM          7  13-09    0
Day 1: 2   03-07     Day 2: 5   10-02
103. Jeff Blackford         Hopkins, MO              6  13-02    0
Day 1: 3   06-13     Day 2: 3   06-05
104. Alexander Blanchard    Belle Rose, LA           6  12-15    0
Day 1: 5   11-13     Day 2: 1   01-02
105. Mike Hill              Carlsbad, NM             7  12-06    0
Day 1: 3   05-02     Day 2: 4   07-04
106. Donald Adcock          Richland, MS             5  11-10    0
Day 1: 5   11-10     Day 2: 0   00-00
107. Grayson Morrow         San Angelo, TX           3  11-09    0
Day 1: 3   11-09     Day 2: 0   00-00
108. Scott Dooley           Ashland, MO              6  11-09    0
Day 1: 3   06-13     Day 2: 3   04-12
109. Craig Mckenzie         Aurora, CO               6  11-08    0
Day 1: 3   06-08     Day 2: 3   05-00
110. Ramsey Romanin         Wolcott, CO              3  11-07    0
Day 1: 2   02-12     Day 2: 1   08-11
111. Blake Atchison         Ava, MO                  5  11-05    0
Day 1: 5   11-05     Day 2: 0   00-00
112. Richard Vizcarra       Peoria, AZ               5  11-01    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 5   11-01
113. Gary Bowien            Benton, AR               5  10-12    0
Day 1: 2   04-01     Day 2: 3   06-11
114. Brandon Mcdonald       Willis, TX               5  10-09    0
Day 1: 5   10-09     Day 2: 0   00-00
115. Christopher Acuff      Lebanon, MO              5  10-08    0
Day 1: 5   10-08     Day 2: 0   00-00
116. Kelly Burns            Avondale, AZ             3  10-08    0
Day 1: 1   02-00     Day 2: 2   08-08
117. Jim Martin             Harrison, AR             5  10-07    0
Day 1: 5   10-07     Day 2: 0   00-00
118. Micah Phillips         Wagoner , OK             4  10-06    0
Day 1: 4   10-06     Day 2: 0   00-00
119. Duane Pittman          Gonzales, LA             3  10-05    0
Day 1: 3   10-05     Day 2: 0   00-00
120. Marshall Brown         Smithville, MO           5  10-03    0
Day 1: 5   10-03     Day 2: 0   00-00
121. John Jackson           Billings, MO             5  09-14    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 5   09-14
122. David Bishop           Gilbert, AZ              4  09-14    0
Day 1: 4   09-14     Day 2: 0   00-00
123. Keith Hendrix          Monroe City, MO          4  09-14    0
Day 1: 3   06-11     Day 2: 1   03-03
124. Cole Lamb              Guion, AR                5  09-13    0
Day 1: 5   09-13     Day 2: 0   00-00
125. Neal Normand           Gonzales, LA             4  09-03    0
Day 1: 4   09-03     Day 2: 0   00-00
126. Mario Carreon          Las Cruces, NM           4  08-14    0
Day 1: 3   06-05     Day 2: 1   02-09
127. Michael Louviere       New Iberia, LA           5  08-13    0
Day 1: 5   08-13     Day 2: 0   00-00
128. Parker Frew            Greenville, MS           5  08-06    0
Day 1: 5   08-06     Day 2: 0   00-00
129. Joseph Bruener         Douglass, TX             3  07-11    0
Day 1: 3   07-11     Day 2: 0   00-00
130. Richard Everest        Hobbs, NM                4  07-06    0
Day 1: 2   04-03     Day 2: 2   03-03
131. Bryan Trahan           Orange, TX               4  07-05    0
Day 1: 4   07-05     Day 2: 0   00-00
132. David Flemming         Woodland Park, CO        3  07-04    0
Day 1: 2   03-09     Day 2: 1   03-11
133. JJ Craig               Walnut Grove, MS         4  06-15    0
Day 1: 4   06-15     Day 2: 0   00-00
133. Mark Jones             Meadville, MS            4  06-15    0
Day 1: 4   06-15     Day 2: 0   00-00
135. Terry Service          College Station, TX      3  06-12    0
Day 1: 3   06-12     Day 2: 0   00-00
136. Chase Washburn         Shawnee, OK              2  06-11    0
Day 1: 1   01-12     Day 2: 1   04-15
137. Timothy Merkh          Bennington, KS           2  06-08    0
Day 1: 2   06-08     Day 2: 0   00-00
138. Ryan Dardano           Berthoud, CO             3  06-07    0
Day 1: 3   06-07     Day 2: 0   00-00
139. Gary Little            Soso, MS                 4  06-03    0
Day 1: 4   06-03     Day 2: 0   00-00
140. Brad Hillebrandt       Florien, LA              3  06-01    0
Day 1: 3   06-01     Day 2: 0   00-00
141. Michael Hargraves      Seguin, TX               3  06-01    0
Day 1: 1   02-02     Day 2: 2   03-15
142. John Frala             Leonard, MO              2  05-13    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   05-13
143. Brian Stangel          Albuquerque, NM          3  05-10    0
Day 1: 1   01-04     Day 2: 2   04-06
144. Glenn Connors          Springfield, MO          2  05-06    0
Day 1: 2   05-06     Day 2: 0   00-00
145. Bryan Finch            Belton, TX               2  05-04    0
Day 1: 2   05-04     Day 2: 0   00-00
146. Derek Cochems          Moody, TX                1  03-04    0
Day 1: 1   03-04     Day 2: 0   00-00
147. Jason Westrip          Crane, MO                2  03-02    0
Day 1: 2   03-02     Day 2: 0   00-00
148. DaShon Peck            The Colony, TX           2  03-02    0
Day 1: 1   01-12     Day 2: 1   01-06
149. Emile Gennaro          Wesson, MS               1  02-12    0
Day 1: 1   02-12     Day 2: 0   00-00
150. Cavin Courville        Lake Charles, LA         1  02-09    0
Day 1: 1   02-09     Day 2: 0   00-00
151. David Chase            Las Cruces, NM           1  02-00    0
Day 1: 1   02-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
152. Michael Hamilton       Midwest City, OK         1  01-13    0
Day 1: 1   01-13     Day 2: 0   00-00
153. Travis Merritt         Iowa, LA                 1  01-09    0
Day 1: 1   01-09     Day 2: 0   00-00
154. Randy Grimes           College Station, TX      1  01-06    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   01-06
155. Joseph Gamboa          Elephant Butte, NM       1  01-00    0
Day 1: 1   01-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
156. Brian Bolander         Scottsdale, AZ           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
156. Josh Bradford          Jonesville, LA           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
156. Jayden Corr            Sunset, TX               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
156. Tyler Duggins          West Plains, MO          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
156. Levi Evans             Squires, MO              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
156. Kris Lee               Coweta, OK               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
156. Cory Leita             Victoria, TX             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
156. Matthew Lipari         Patterson, LA            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
156. Kalib Lund             Yuma, AZ                 0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
156. Ira Lynn               Spring Branch, TX        0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
156. Cody Monlezun          Nacogdoches, TX          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
156. Kenneth Moore          Red Oak, TX              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
156. Connor Santos          Fountain, CO             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
156. Richard Wilson         Lubbock, TX              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
156. Andrew Wren            Wylie, TX                0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        89       615      1789-05
2        69       487      1421-06
----------------------------------
158      1102      3210-11
2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Toledo Bend presented by Lowrance 4/22-4/24
Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many  LA.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Matt Edwards           Paden, OK                6  19-02    0
Day 1: 3   07-01     Day 2: 3   12-01
2.  Arron Slaten           Shepherd, TX             6  15-14    0
Day 1: 3   09-12     Day 2: 3   06-02
3.  Matt Manners           Durant, OK               5  14-00    0
Day 1: 2   04-08     Day 2: 3   09-08
4.  Mark Shelton           Fayetteville, AR         6  13-15    0
Day 1: 3   06-00     Day 2: 3   07-15
5.  Zack Busch             Bloomsdale, MO           6  13-13    0
Day 1: 3   08-10     Day 2: 3   05-03
6.  Jake Beach             Opelousas, LA            6  13-00    0
Day 1: 3   05-00     Day 2: 3   08-00
7.  Scott Vice             Patterson, LA            5  12-11    0
Day 1: 2   05-07     Day 2: 3   07-04
8.  Justin Jensen          Laurel, MS               5  12-09    0
Day 1: 3   07-15     Day 2: 2   04-10
9.  Mike Casanova          Frisco, TX               6  12-09    0
Day 1: 3   06-14     Day 2: 3   05-11
10. David Wheat            Philadelphia, MS         5  12-02    0
Day 1: 2   04-13     Day 2: 3   07-05
11. Hieu Nguyen            Stillwater, OK           5  12-01    0
Day 1: 3   08-13     Day 2: 2   03-04
12. Degan Dougherty        Peoria, AZ               4  11-04    0
Day 1: 1   02-05     Day 2: 3   08-15
13. Coy Brown              Magnolia, AR             4  11-03    0
Day 1: 3   09-08     Day 2: 1   01-11
14. Tanner Ortega          Albuquerque, NM          4  11-02    0
Day 1: 3   07-15     Day 2: 1   03-03
15. Robert Duggar          El Dorado, AR            5  11-01    0
Day 1: 2   04-12     Day 2: 3   06-05
16. Jonathan Small         Pleasant Hill, MO        6  10-15    0
Day 1: 3   04-00     Day 2: 3   06-15
17. Jordan Schwartzkopf    El Mirage, AZ            4  10-12    0
Day 1: 1   05-09     Day 2: 3   05-03
18. John Case              Clarksville, AR          3  10-08    0
Day 1: 2   03-13     Day 2: 1   06-11
19. Clinton Everett        Surprise, AZ             5  10-07    0
Day 1: 2   04-07     Day 2: 3   06-00
20. Jeremy Barbour         Lucedale, MS             4  10-05    0
Day 1: 3   07-09     Day 2: 1   02-12
21. Steve Weaver           Oklahoma City, OK        4  10-02    0     $275.00
Day 1: 2   06-05     Day 2: 2   03-13
22. Cliff Martinez         Seguin, TX               4  10-01    0     $275.00
Day 1: 3   06-07     Day 2: 1   03-10
23. Brett Martinez         Donaldsonville, LA       6  10-01    0     $275.00
Day 1: 3   04-15     Day 2: 3   05-02
24. Casey Cline            Peoria, AZ               5  10-00    0     $275.00
Day 1: 3   05-10     Day 2: 2   04-06
25. Anthony Gordon         Kirksville, MO           5  09-08    0     $275.00
Day 1: 2   03-04     Day 2: 3   06-04
26. Johnnie Rucker         New Canton, MO           3  09-03    0     $275.00
Day 1: 2   07-07     Day 2: 1   01-12
27. Arturo Baquera         Noble, OK                4  09-01    0     $275.00
Day 1: 3   06-14     Day 2: 1   02-03
28. Travis Culbreth        Brandon, MS              3  08-13    0     $275.00
Day 1: 3   08-13     Day 2: 0   00-00
29. Jon Mohon Sr           Hahnville, LA            2  08-11    0     $275.00
Day 1: 2   08-11     Day 2: 0   00-00
30. Glenn Hahn             San Antonio, TX          4  08-09    0     $275.00
Day 1: 1   01-13     Day 2: 3   06-12
31. Eli Sepeda             Roby, TX                 4  08-07    0
Day 1: 2   03-06     Day 2: 2   05-01
32. Kevin Joines           Choctaw, OK              3  08-03    0
Day 1: 1   01-09     Day 2: 2   06-10
33. Roger Arthur           Truth Or Consequences,   4  08-03    0
Day 1: 2   04-13     Day 2: 2   03-06
34. Paul Martinez          Jemez Springs, NM        3  08-01    0
Day 1: 3   08-01     Day 2: 0   00-00
35. Matheuw Forbes         Fort Collins, CO         5  07-15    0
Day 1: 2   02-08     Day 2: 3   05-07
36. Kendall Loper          Olathe, KS               3  07-12    0
Day 1: 3   07-12     Day 2: 0   00-00
37. Christopher Sanchez    Albuquerque, NM          4  07-06    0
Day 1: 3   05-11     Day 2: 1   01-11
38. Shaun Lepper           Grand Junction, CO       4  07-06    0
Day 1: 1   02-00     Day 2: 3   05-06
39. Brett Becker           Tucson, AZ               4  07-06    0
Day 1: 2   03-05     Day 2: 2   04-01
40. Rick Sanger            Grand Junction, CO       4  07-06    0
Day 1: 2   03-11     Day 2: 2   03-11
41. R.J. Leblanc           Franklin, LA             3  07-05    0
Day 1: 2   05-04     Day 2: 1   02-01
42. Kim Mills              Rio Rancho, NM           4  07-02    0
Day 1: 1   01-11     Day 2: 3   05-07
43. Gary Mills             Rio Rancho, NM           4  07-01    0
Day 1: 1   01-11     Day 2: 3   05-06
44. Thomas Edwards         Gilbert, AZ              4  07-01    0
Day 1: 3   05-03     Day 2: 1   01-14
45. Bryse Dodson           Ava, MO                  4  07-00    0
Day 1: 3   05-06     Day 2: 1   01-10
46. James Barber           Greenville, TX           3  07-00    0
Day 1: 2   04-11     Day 2: 1   02-05
47. Kyle Klein             Hutchinson, KS           4  06-14    0
Day 1: 2   03-02     Day 2: 2   03-12
48. Stephen Branon         Centerton, AR            4  06-10    0
Day 1: 1   01-12     Day 2: 3   04-14
49. Tom Worsham            Clifton, CO              3  06-05    0
Day 1: 3   06-05     Day 2: 0   00-00
50. John Santos            Colorado Springs, CO     2  06-01    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   06-01
51. Kylan Easley           Kirksville, MO           3  05-15    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   05-15
52. Ron Price              Canon City, CO           2  05-15    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   05-15
53. Rickey Monroe          Edgewood, NM             2  05-11    0
Day 1: 1   03-10     Day 2: 1   02-01
54. Alec Carroll           Phoenix, AZ              3  05-05    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   05-05
54. Nicholas Estes         Saint Joseph, MO         3  05-05    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   05-05
56. Aaron Loper            Olathe, KS               3  05-04    0
Day 1: 3   05-04     Day 2: 0   00-00
57. Jake Morrison          Phoenix, AZ              3  05-03    0
Day 1: 3   05-03     Day 2: 0   00-00
58. Aaron Landry           Napoleonville, LA        2  04-15    0
Day 1: 1   01-04     Day 2: 1   03-11
59. Chris Demiglio         Denton, TX               2  04-14    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   04-14
60. Kendall Amos           Greenville, MS           3  04-12    0
Day 1: 1   01-08     Day 2: 2   03-04
61. Ricky-Ray Martinez Jr  Santa Fe, NM             3  04-11    0
Day 1: 2   03-03     Day 2: 1   01-08
62. Ernie Villa            Midland, TX              3  04-11    0
Day 1: 1   01-13     Day 2: 2   02-14
63. Chris Nettles          Hickory Creek, TX        2  04-08    0
Day 1: 2   04-08     Day 2: 0   00-00
63. Cody Ralph             Brighton, CO             2  04-08    0
Day 1: 2   04-08     Day 2: 0   00-00
63. Joshua Simmons         De Soto, MO              2  04-08    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   04-08
66. Shayne Dupree          Haslet, TX               3  04-05    0
Day 1: 3   05-05     Day 2: 0   -01-00
67. Eric Baker             Oklahoma City, OK        2  04-00    0
Day 1: 2   04-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
68. John Gilbert           Mesa, AZ                 1  03-15    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   03-15
69. Rachel Chase           Las Cruces, NM           2  03-13    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   03-13
70. Scott Hausman          Owasso, OK               2  03-13    0
Day 1: 1   02-01     Day 2: 1   01-12
71. Blake Burdette         Anderson, SC             2  03-11    0
Day 1: 2   03-11     Day 2: 0   00-00
71. David Walton           Willis, TX               2  03-11    0
Day 1: 2   03-11     Day 2: 0   00-00
73. Jordan Fudge           Melissa , TX             2  03-09    0
Day 1: 1   01-05     Day 2: 1   02-04
74. Buddy French           Ruth, MS                 2  03-06    0
Day 1: 1   01-07     Day 2: 1   01-15
75. Jay Quintero-Salazar   Phoenix, AZ              2  02-15    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   02-15
76. Jason English          San Antonio, TX          1  02-00    0
Day 1: 1   02-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
76. Jim Hays               Loveland, CO             1  02-00    0
Day 1: 1   02-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
78. Rick  Lewis            Madison, MS              1  01-11    0
Day 1: 1   01-11     Day 2: 0   00-00
79. Seth Hausman           Owasso, OK               1  01-07    0
Day 1: 1   01-07     Day 2: 0   00-00
80. Marion Daniels         Kansas City, KS          1  01-07    0
Day 1: 1   01-07     Day 2: 0   00-00
81. Jerry Miller           Mckinney, TX             1  01-06    0
Day 1: 1   01-06     Day 2: 0   00-00
82. Jesse Haworth          Kenner, AL               1  01-05    0
Day 1: 1   01-05     Day 2: 0   00-00
83. Mark Cowart            Kearney, MO              1  01-03    0
Day 1: 1   01-03     Day 2: 0   00-00
84. Robin Hessling         Quincy, IL               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
84. Charlie Hewitt         Prairieville, LA         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
84. Tod Higby              Lamar, AR                0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
84. Tom Parks              Prescott Valley, AZ      0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
84. David Porter           Rockwall, TX             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
84. Kelvin Preis           Mountain Home, AR        0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
84. William Ross           Newalla, OK              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
84. Benjamin Saunders      Gardner, KS              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
84. Skipper Smith          Pearl, MS                0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
84. Josh Thalman           Saratoga Springs, UT     0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
84. Karl Voss              Sulphur, LA              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
84. Brad Weiss             Bennington, KS           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
84. Phillip White          Basehor, KS              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
84. Christopher Wilson     Tucson, AZ               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        26       149       327-07
2        25       130       288-01
----------------------------------
51       279       615-08

by AnglersChannel

Team of Benton and Iaconelli win Inaugural Bassmaster Tuesday Night LIVE

BRANSON, Mo. — Eight Bassmaster Elite Series pros, divided into four randomly-selected teams, competed in the inaugural Bassmaster Tuesday Night LIVE tournament on Missouri’s Table Rock Lake. After three hard-fought hours of competition, the team of Drew Benton and Mike Iaconelli prevailed with a six-bass limit weighing 15 pounds, 7 ounces.

For just about all of these suddenly-ready-for-prime-time-players, it was a return to their roots — a winner-take-all format, a parking lot weigh-in, more than a little bit of trash-talking, and consistent demonstrations of their hypercompetitive nature. Tournament director Mark Zona ruled with an iron fist, although some of his rules, like the fact that competitors had to file any protests directly in the face of the alleged rule violator, seemed more focused on creating drama than on solving problems.

Tournament emcee Dave Mercer made light of some of the gaps in the regulations: “I think Chris Johnston called every local around here to get information.”

If he did, it helped, but not quite enough. Benton and Iaconelli beat the back-to-back Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year and his partner Bryan New — known as “AOY and the Other Guy” — by 5 ounces. Depending on who told the story, the 2nd place team may have been helped or may have been hindered by the fact that New forgot to fill the gas tank on his boat prior to blastoff, limiting their range but maximizing their fishing time.

Drew Cook and 2022 Bassmaster Classic champion Jason Christie — considered by some to be the pre-tournament favorites – were 3rd with 13-8.

Team “Kyle Squared,” consisting of 2023 AOY Kyle Welcher and Kyle Patrick, rounded out the top four with three fish for 7-1.

The anglers seemed energized and excited by the format. Christie said that he substantially supplemented his income throughout high school, college and his early coaching years by squeezing in as many weeknight “fruit jar” tournaments as he could.

“That’s how I made a living” he said. “We’d have 75 to 80 boats. If you won and had big bass you could make several thousand dollars in just a few hours.”

One of the oddities of this format was seeing Iaconelli, the 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion and 2006 AOY, as well as Christie, the 2022 Classic champ, fishing out of the back of the boat. At one point Christie stood poised with the net, waiting for Cook to hook a finicky bass. Iaconelli, meanwhile, was sure to note that “I am the best net man in the business.”

Benton agreed: “He is an absolute net ninja,” he said.

Indeed, while there was a huge amount of diverse bass fishing talent in the four boats, strategy played as much of a role as any lure. Ike and Christie both resolved to let their particular Drew work on bed fish while they mopped up with finesse tactics.

For Iaconelli, it was a return to the 1990s. He brought the co-angler mindset that he developed in his bass club days, then in AA and AAA events. He recognized that as Benton worked on fish that he could see, there were doubtlessly many others around that they couldn’t see. Accordingly, he took a painstaking approach to finding those fish.

“It was all about the wacky rig, wacky rig, wacky rig,” he emphasized. “With the Power-Poles down, I’ve got what I’ve got. I focused on using light line and a finesse bait. I would make casts aimed at covering water, 6 inches different each time. I’d make a cast and the next would be 6 inches to the right, and so on. Then I’d work the other bank the same way.”

It was important that each member of each team weigh in at least one fish, as no single angler was permitted to compile a team’s entire limit.

Benton’s key sight fishing tools were two Japanese soft plastics, a Nories Front Flapper and a Nories Latterie. Behind him, Iaconelli utilized a 5-inch Berkley General soft stickbait, which he characterized as “the best bait to clean up the scraps.”

It was equally strange to see Christie, a Type A personality and one of the greatest closers of the sport’s modern era, in the back of the boat. He welcomed this event as a learning experience and like Iaconelli sought to contribute to the team while letting Cook do his own heavy lifting. The Tennessee-Tombigbee champion left the venue impressed and satisfied, even if they didn’t win.

“What I actually learned is that what happens to me when I sight fish isn’t abnormal,” the Oklahoma pro said. “Sometimes you pull in looking for one and it’s not there or it’s acting weird. I expected Drew to be able to find and catch those fish every time, but it happened to him, too. He’d move on to the next one. That makes me feel better about myself.”

Overall, the event drew raves from everyone involved. Despite some pairings that might have seemed likely or perhaps intended to cause friction, there was nothing but praise for the format. Rather than leaving the venue dejected, the also-rans left determined to come back stronger, while Benton demanded an opportunity to defend his team’s title.

There was even speculation that Iaconelli, who won this inaugural event to add bragging rights to his unparalleled list of titles, would return to college in search of that championship, too.

“This turned out better than I expected,” Mercer concluded. “I was excited to see the awesomeness and the awkwardness of it all. I don’t think anyone could have predicted that Ike and Benton would flow as good as they did. Please feed us more of this.”

He and broadcast partner Mark Zona refused to put any brakes or limitations on their coverage and the assembled fans — several hundred somehow managed to find the unannounced weigh-in site — ate it up. Zona likewise fed off of that energy.

“I’m never restrained,” he said. “I think I’ve always called it like I’ve seen it, but we were able to give it a little more tonight. With all of the weird, negative stuff that sometimes infects this sport, this was just about fun competition and making people smile. This is what bass fishing really is.”

Head over to Bassmaster.com for full coverage from the inaugural Bassmaster Tuesday Night LIVE tournament — including the complete LIVE show.

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 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Battery Tender, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, 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, Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks 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.

by AnglersChannel

Foutz finds late-day kicker for Bassmaster Elite win at Arkansas River

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — Family’s important to Jacob Foutz, so when he made a promise to his great grandmother Judy Fisher, he intended to keep it. Two years after her passing, Foutz fulfilled his oath by winning the Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River.

After tallying a four-day winning total of 72 pounds, 4 ounces, Foutz linked a transitional moment in his final day to that longstanding family commitment.

“This afternoon, I had 30 minutes before I locked (back to Pool 16 from Pool 15) and I had gone back for a big one I had seen on bed,” said the 27-year-old from Philadelphia, Tenn. “My great grandma was my biggest fan. Every time I saw her, I promised her a blue trophy.

“That big fish wasn’t there and I said, ‘Grandma, if you’re watching, I can use a 5-pounder right now.’ About 5 minutes later, I caught a 6-1. You can’t script it any better than that.”

Foutz placed seventh on Day 1 with a bag of 18-1 and moved up to second a day later with 18-15. Adding 20-10 on Semifinal Saturday, Foutz took over the lead by a margin of 6-9.

A leaner Championship Sunday yielded 14-10, but Foutz finished with a winning margin of 6-13 of Austin Felix and collected the $100,000 top prize.

“I’ve been waiting for this since I was 5 years old,” Foutz said. “Bass fishing is all I’ve ever known. I love it more than anything else in the world. This is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a little, little boy.”

With the event based on Pool 16, tournament boundaries also comprised pools 17 and 15. All week, Foutz camped in a couple of shallow backwater areas in the Illinois River, which branches off the east side of Kerr Lake (Pool 15).

With no other anglers fishing that area, Foutz found was able to explore at his leisure. His key area was a shallow gravel bank where he monitored bedding bass and roaming fish with Garmin Perspective Mode — a wide-angle live sonar view ideal for shallow waters.

Foutz caught his bed fish on a Texas-rigged Burtek Cranking Bug. He also caught several keepers by blind casting the area with a Megabass Magdraft swimbait.

“Coming into this week, I didn’t think I was on that much, I just kinda figured it out as the week when on,” Foutz said. “When it’s your time, it’s your time.”

A 6-pound class fish always matters, especially on a fishery where 5-pounders are eye-openers. However, the timing could not have been any better.

Around noon, Foutz found himself with a limit of just under 10 pounds as the scheduled 1:30 lock time loomed closer. Unbeknownst to him, Felix and third-place Pat Schlapper were chipping away at his lead.

Sensing that his opportunity was in jeopardy, Foutz resolved to fish until the last minute. His persistence paid off with a late-day kicker that slammed the door shut.

“I saw some wood (on the bottom) but I didn’t see the fish,” Foutz said. “I just made a blind pitch out there and my mind started moving.”

Hailing from Eden Prairie, Minn., Austin Felix finished second with 65-7. Staying in the hunt all week, the 2020 Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year turned in daily weights of 18-15, 16-12, 13-12 and 16-0.

Also committing his tournament to Pool 15, Felix fished various habitat features. Flexibility and adaptability were his allies.

“You had to go with the flow and fish what you could,” he said. “Fortunately, I put my bait in front of 20 of the right ones (four days of 5-bass limits).”

Felix caught his fish on a 3/8-ounce Tree Shaker Tackle swim jig and a Texas-rigged Strike King Rage Bug. He used two versions of the Texas rig — one with a 7/16-ounce weight for deeper spots and a 5/16-ounce setup for finessing shallower cover.

Considering the run down to the Webbers Falls Lock and Dam accessing Pool 15, locking time and the run to the prime fishing areas, Felix said his fishing day amounted to approximately 3 1/2 hours.

“The key was keeping your head down and fishing what was in front of you,” Felix said. “You couldn’t really run around so there wasn’t time for a Plan B or C. Fortunately, I got in an area where, even when the weather changed, a different section would go off and I could get a few bites every day.”

Schlapper, who makes his home in Eleva, Wis., finished third with 64-10. His daily weights were 17-6, 13-12, 17-0 and 16-8.

Anchoring his final bag with a 5-pounder, Schlapper focused on various shallow backwater habitat similar to his Upper Mississippi River home waters where he claimed his second of two Elite wins in 2025 (also the Sabine River).

“This river fits my style of fishing; it’s one of my favorite places now,” Schlapper said. “There’s a lot of fish and a lot of cool cover to fish.

“I caught a lot of my fish on a swim jig that I make myself from Do-it-Molds. It’s so fun when you watch them come up and you watch the bait disappear.”

Cole Sands of Johnson City, Tenn., won the $2,000 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award with a 6-13.

Trey McKinney of Carbondale, Ill., won the $1,000 award for leading the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year points with 354. Cory Johnston of Otonabee, Canada is second with 353, followed by Sands with 325, Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas with 320, and Caleb Hudson of Lincolnton, Ga., with 317.

Seth Feider of New Market, Minn., won the $2,000 Rapala CrushCity Monster Bag with 21-3.

Carl Jocumsen of Queensland, Australia won the $1,000 BassTrakk Contingency prize for the angler whose BassTrakk estimates are closest to their official weight.

Jason Christie of Dry Creek, Okla., won the $4,000 Toyota Bonus Bucks contingency award for the highest-placing eligible angler. Luke Palmer of Coalgate, Okla., won the $3,000 second-place award.

Schlapper won the $2,500 Yamaha Power Pay contingency award for the highest-placing eligible angler. Christie won the $1,500 second-place award.

Caleb Hudson of Lincolnton, Ga., leads the Pro-Guide Batteries Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year standings with 317 points.

Visit Muskogee hosted this event.

2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Title Sponsor: Progressive

2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Humminbird, Mercury, Mountain Dew, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Lew's, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, VMC, Yokohama

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 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Battery Tender, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, 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, Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks 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.

-30-

Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, [email protected]

2026 Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River 4/16-4/19
Arkansas River, Muskogee  OK.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Jacob Foutz            Philadelphia, TN        20  72-04  101 $101,000.00
Day 1: 5   18-01     Day 2: 5   18-15     Day 3: 5   20-10     Day 4: 5   14-10
2.  Austin Felix           Eden Prairie, MN        20  65-07  100  $20,000.00
Day 1: 5   18-15     Day 2: 5   16-12     Day 3: 5   13-12     Day 4: 5   16-00
3.  Pat Schlapper          Eleva, WI               20  64-10   99  $15,000.00
Day 1: 5   17-06     Day 2: 5   13-12     Day 3: 5   17-00     Day 4: 5   16-08
4.  Jason Christie         Dry Creek, OK           20  63-08   98  $12,500.00
Day 1: 5   18-04     Day 2: 5   18-02     Day 3: 5   14-04     Day 4: 5   12-14
5.  Fisher Anaya           Eva, AL                 20  63-00   97  $11,750.00
Day 1: 5   20-04     Day 2: 5   16-13     Day 3: 5   14-00     Day 4: 5   11-15
6.  Luke Palmer            Atoka, OK               20  62-04   96  $11,000.00
Day 1: 5   12-08     Day 2: 5   20-08     Day 3: 5   15-08     Day 4: 5   13-12
7.  Cory Johnston          Otonabee CANADA         20  61-15   95  $10,500.00
Day 1: 5   15-07     Day 2: 5   16-13     Day 3: 5   16-08     Day 4: 5   13-03
8.  Caleb Hudson           Lincolnton, GA          20  59-03   94  $11,300.00
Day 1: 5   19-01     Day 2: 5   17-09     Day 3: 5   11-09     Day 4: 5   11-00
9.  Cole Sands             Johnson City, TN        20  58-13   93  $13,200.00
Day 1: 5   17-13     Day 2: 5   11-02     Day 3: 5   17-15     Day 4: 5   11-15
10. Trey McKinney          Carbondale, IL          19  55-13   92  $11,000.00
Day 1: 5   16-03     Day 2: 5   16-14     Day 3: 5   15-08     Day 4: 4   07-04
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1   Hank Cherry Jr           Lincolnton, NC      05-13      $1,000.00
2   Caleb Hudson             Lincolnton, GA      06-08      $1,000.00
3   Cole Sands               Johnson City, TN    06-13      $1,000.00
4   Jacob Foutz              Philadelphia, TN    06-01      $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Cole Sands               Johnson City, TN    06-13      $2,000.00
RAPALA CRUSHCITY MONSTER BAG

Seth Feider              Elko New Market, MN 21-03      $2,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        98       495      1394-09
2        97       494      1285-08
3        44       232       591-03
4         9        49       129-01
----------------------------------
248      1270      3400-05

by AnglersChannel

Foutz surges into the lead in Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — On a day marked with significant weather impact, Jacob Foutz looked like he was fishing different waters than the other 49 semi-finalists competing in the Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River.

In a way, he actually was, as the pro from Philadelphia, Tenn., has enjoyed three days of complete solitude in a backwater area of the Illinois River branching off the east side of Kerr Lake (Pool 15). During that time, Foutz has amassed a total of 57 pounds, 10 ounces, which sends him into Championship Sunday with a cozy lead of 6-9 over the first two days’ leader Fisher Anaya.

“It feels like I’m fishing in a different fishery; clean water, big ole bass — I can’t complain,” Foutz grinned. “Where I caught them today, I found it yesterday, but it’s part of the same backwater area I’ve been fishing.”

Keeping himself in the hunt, Foutz started with a seventh-place bag of 18-1 and moved up to second with a Day 2 limit that went 18-15. Adding his best effort — a third-round limit of 20-10 — puts him squarely in the driver’s seat.

A major storm system, which brought big winds toward the end of Friday’s weigh-ins, dropped air temperatures by about 15 degrees and lingered the blustery conditions throughout Day 3. Fortunately, Foutz was fishing in protected backwaters.

Most importantly, while many of his competitors have fished shad spawns and other bass postspawn patterns, Foutz believes the cooler water coming through the Illinois has kept his area a little behind the Arkansas River’s seasonal schedule.

“Where I’m fishing, the water temperature is just now getting into the low 60s, so it seems like they’re just now starting to spawn,” he said. “They’ve just reloaded and reloaded all three days. I think most of the fish I’ve caught have been bedding, but I’ve caught some just winding around.

“This scenario has just developed as the tournament has gone on. I just went to an area where I had a few bites in practice. I didn’t really know what was there, but we’ve learned pretty quickly.”

Foutz caught most of his fish by watching a broad area with Garmin Perspective Mode. He used a Texas-rigged Burtek Cranking Bug for the bed fish and a Megabass Magdraft swimbait for blind casting the general area.

Foutz did the biggest chunk of his Day 3 work from about 10:15 to 10:40 a.m., during which he boated a trio of chunky fish of 5 1/4, 4 and 4 3/4 pounds (unofficial BassTrakk weights). This Semifinal Saturday smackdown clearly positioned him to win his first blue trophy.

Looking ahead to Championship Sunday, Foutz said he’ll return to the Illinois River in hopes that his area has enough fish to crank out one more big bag.

“I feel like I’m running out of fish, but I did see some left in there and it still seems like they’re coming,” he said. “I’m not getting a bunch of time to fish (given the travel and locking time both ways), but I left some fish, I saw some more this afternoon that I didn’t try to catch.”

Hailing from Eva, Ala., Anaya is in second place with 51-1. After leading Days 1 and 2 with limits of 20-4 and 16-13, Anaya added 14 pounds on Day 3.

Following the same general game plan that had served him well for two days, Anaya started his day throwing a jerkbait for spotted bass and then a 3/8-ounce swim jig with a Zoom Ultra-Vibe Speed Craw for largemouth. That plan put four spots and one largemouth in his weigh-in bag.

“I just went fishing today and got fortunate enough to catch one big one late in the day that helped my bag,” said Anaya, who won the season’s second Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin. “That big one was sitting in the same patch of grass that I’ve fished every day, so I’m gonna fish it again tomorrow and then run some new water.”

Jason Christie of Dry Creek, Okla., is in third place with 50-10. He has turned in daily weights of 18-4, 18-2 and 14-4.

Coming off a win in the previous Bassmaster Elite at the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, Christie has committed to locking down to Kerr Lake and working a familiar area that he grew up fishing. He stayed busy, but the big fish he located the previous two days did not cooperate today.

“I caught 50 or 60 fish, but I just never had that quality bite,” Christie said. “I’ve fished this river for years and the way I fish, you move around. You flip a log here, a reed head there, a grass patch there.

“I haven’t been able to do that; I’ve been handcuffed to one area, basically, the whole time. Hopefully, it doesn’t blow tomorrow so I can move around and have a chance to catch a big bag.”

After doing a lot of work with a Heddon Zara Spook the first two days, Christie caught most of his Day-3 fish on a Booyah Mobster swim jig.

Cole Sands of Johnson City, Tn. holds the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead with a 6-13.

Trey McKinney of Carbondale, Ill., leads the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year points with 358. Cory Johnston of Otonabee, Canada is second with 355, followed by Sands with 324, Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas with 320, and Caleb Hudson of Lincolnton, Ga., with 317.

Bassmaster LIVE action of Championship Sunday can be found on FS1 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. before heading to Bassmaster.com for afternoon coverage. All weigh-ins will be available live on Bassmaster.com starting at 4 p.m. ET.

Visit Muskogee is hosting this event.

2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Title Sponsor: Progressive

2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Humminbird, Mercury, Mountain Dew, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Lew's, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, VMC, Yokohama

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 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Battery Tender, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, 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, Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks 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.

-30-

Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, [email protected]

2026 Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River 4/16-4/19
Arkansas River, Muskogee  OK.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Jacob Foutz            Philadelphia, TN        15  57-10  101
Day 1: 5   18-01     Day 2: 5   18-15     Day 3: 5   20-10
2.  Fisher Anaya           Eva, AL                 15  51-01  100
Day 1: 5   20-04     Day 2: 5   16-13     Day 3: 5   14-00
3.  Jason Christie         Dry Creek, OK           15  50-10   99
Day 1: 5   18-04     Day 2: 5   18-02     Day 3: 5   14-04
4.  Austin Felix           Eden Prairie, MN        15  49-07   98
Day 1: 5   18-15     Day 2: 5   16-12     Day 3: 5   13-12
5.  Cory Johnston          Otonabee CANADA         15  48-12   97
Day 1: 5   15-07     Day 2: 5   16-13     Day 3: 5   16-08
6.  Trey McKinney          Carbondale, IL          15  48-09   96
Day 1: 5   16-03     Day 2: 5   16-14     Day 3: 5   15-08
7.  Luke Palmer            Atoka, OK               15  48-08   95
Day 1: 5   12-08     Day 2: 5   20-08     Day 3: 5   15-08
8.  Caleb Hudson           Lincolnton, GA          15  48-03   94   $1,000.00
Day 1: 5   19-01     Day 2: 5   17-09     Day 3: 5   11-09
9.  Pat Schlapper          Eleva, WI               15  48-02   93
Day 1: 5   17-06     Day 2: 5   13-12     Day 3: 5   17-00
10. Cole Sands             Johnson City, TN        15  46-14   92   $1,000.00
Day 1: 5   17-13     Day 2: 5   11-02     Day 3: 5   17-15
11. Seth Feider            Elko New Market, MN     15  46-11   91   $7,000.00
Day 1: 5   09-13     Day 2: 5   21-03     Day 3: 5   15-11
12. Justin Atkins          Florence, AL            15  46-03   90   $7,000.00
Day 1: 5   15-10     Day 2: 5   13-04     Day 3: 5   17-05
13. Justin Hamner          Northport, AL           15  45-14   89   $7,000.00
Day 1: 5   15-07     Day 2: 5   14-09     Day 3: 5   15-14
14. Kyle Norsetter         Cottage Grove, WI       15  45-12   88   $7,000.00
Day 1: 5   14-14     Day 2: 5   13-15     Day 3: 5   16-15
15. Bob Downey             Detroit Lakes, MN       15  45-01   87   $7,000.00
Day 1: 5   16-14     Day 2: 5   14-09     Day 3: 5   13-10
16. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC          15  45-00   86   $7,500.00
Day 1: 5   17-04     Day 2: 5   14-13     Day 3: 5   12-15
17. Bryant Smith           Roseville, CA           15  44-09   85   $6,500.00
Day 1: 5   13-09     Day 2: 5   16-09     Day 3: 5   14-07
18. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR              15  44-03   84   $6,500.00
Day 1: 5   14-02     Day 2: 5   15-04     Day 3: 5   14-13
19. Matt Arey              Shelby, NC              15  43-14   83   $6,500.00
Day 1: 5   18-06     Day 2: 5   15-10     Day 3: 5   09-14
20. Chris Johnston         Peterborough Ontario CA 15  43-12   82   $6,500.00
Day 1: 5   13-01     Day 2: 5   15-03     Day 3: 5   15-08
21. Jake Whitaker          Hendersonville, NC      15  43-06   81   $6,000.00
Day 1: 5   15-10     Day 2: 5   13-11     Day 3: 5   14-01
22. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 15  42-14   80   $6,000.00
Day 1: 5   13-08     Day 2: 5   19-03     Day 3: 5   10-03
23. Brandon Palaniuk       Rathdrum, ID            15  42-05   79   $6,000.00
Day 1: 5   19-00     Day 2: 5   13-15     Day 3: 5   09-06
24. Gregory DiPalma        Millville, NJ           15  42-05   78   $6,000.00
Day 1: 5   16-04     Day 2: 5   15-00     Day 3: 5   11-01
25. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA          15  42-03   77   $6,000.00
Day 1: 5   17-01     Day 2: 5   10-12     Day 3: 5   14-06
26. Patrick Walters        Eutawville, SC          15  42-01   76   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   17-08     Day 2: 5   12-14     Day 3: 5   11-11
27. Brandon Cobb           Greenwood, SC           15  41-10   75   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   15-09     Day 2: 5   12-02     Day 3: 5   13-15
28. Will Davis Jr          Sylacauga, AL           15  41-08   74   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   17-09     Day 2: 5   11-11     Day 3: 5   12-04
29. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY             15  41-08   73   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   11-09     Day 2: 5   17-00     Day 3: 5   12-15
30. Tyler Rivet            Raceland, LA            15  40-06   72   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   16-10     Day 2: 5   10-10     Day 3: 5   13-02
31. Wes Logan              Springville, AL         15  40-06   71   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   13-15     Day 2: 5   14-06     Day 3: 5   12-01
32. Chris Zaldain          Boyd, TX                15  40-02   70   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   11-00     Day 2: 5   17-13     Day 3: 5   11-05
33. Tristan McCormick      Bon Aqua, TN            15  40-02   69   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   16-10     Day 2: 5   12-08     Day 3: 5   11-00
34. Jordan Lee             Cullman, AL             15  40-01   68   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   15-05     Day 2: 5   12-14     Day 3: 5   11-14
35. Dakota Ebare           Brookeland, TX          15  39-12   67   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   13-05     Day 2: 5   13-05     Day 3: 5   13-02
36. Beau Browning          Hot Springs, AR         15  39-10   66   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   15-00     Day 2: 5   14-10     Day 3: 5   10-00
37. Cody Meyer             Eagle, ID               15  39-04   65   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   16-09     Day 2: 5   11-00     Day 3: 5   11-11
38. Drew Cook              Cairo, GA               15  39-02   64   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   16-00     Day 2: 5   10-11     Day 3: 5   12-07
39. Brandon Card           Salisbury, NC           15  38-05   63   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   12-11     Day 2: 5   13-14     Day 3: 5   11-12
40. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN           15  37-08   62   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   16-03     Day 2: 5   11-10     Day 3: 5   09-11
41. Andrew Loberg          Guntersville, AL        15  36-02   61   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   12-15     Day 2: 5   14-06     Day 3: 5   08-13
42. Bryan New              Leesville, SC           15  36-01   60   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   16-03     Day 2: 5   11-13     Day 3: 5   08-01
43. Matt Messer            Warfield, KY            15  34-11   59   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   11-09     Day 2: 5   16-08     Day 3: 5   06-10
44. Randy Howell           Guntersville, AL        10  33-15   58   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   17-13     Day 2: 5   16-02     Day 3: 0   00-00
45. Kyle Welcher           Valley, AL              15  33-14   57   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   11-10     Day 2: 5   15-00     Day 3: 5   07-04
46. Matt Robertson         Kuttawa, KY             14  33-11   56   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   16-14     Day 2: 5   10-07     Day 3: 4   06-06
47. Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL        13  33-05   55   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   18-00     Day 2: 5   10-09     Day 3: 3   04-12
48. Bryan Schmitt          Deale, MD               11  31-12   54   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   14-07     Day 2: 5   15-14     Day 3: 1   01-07
49. Jeff Gustafson         Kenora, ON Ontario CANA 12  31-07   53   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   15-07     Day 2: 5   12-02     Day 3: 2   03-14
50. Joey Cifuentes III     Clinton, AR             12  30-08   52   $5,500.00
Day 1: 5   14-06     Day 2: 5   13-11     Day 3: 2   02-07
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1   Hank Cherry Jr           Lincolnton, NC      05-13      $1,000.00
2   Caleb Hudson             Lincolnton, GA      06-08      $1,000.00
3   Cole Sands               Johnson City, TN    06-13      $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        98       495      1394-09
2        97       494      1285-08
3        44       232       591-03
----------------------------------
239      1221      3271-04

by AnglersChannel

Anaya maintains whisper thin lead in Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — Fisher Anaya adjusted his Day 2 game plan in an effort to maximize his first-round findings, but when that strategy showed signs of fracturing, the pro from Eva, Ala., regrouped and caught what he needed to maintain his lead in the Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River.

After leading the field with a Day 1 limit of 20-4, Anaya carried a lead of 1-3 into the second round. Adding 16-13 today, he held on to the top spot with a two-day total of 37-1 and heads into Semifinal Saturday with only an ounce margin over Jacob Foutz.

“I’m gonna have to find some more fish, if I’m gonna have a shot at this thing, because I’m running low,” Anaya said. “Today, I didn’t get very many bites. I could see the fish on ’Scope (forward facing sonar), but it’s just going downhill. There are not many there and a lot of them are smaller.”

With the event based on Pool 16, tournament boundaries also comprise pools 17 and 15. Avoiding the big crowds that locked downriver to Kerr Lake (Pool 15), Anaya started Day 1 in Pool 17, caught two of his weight fish and then finished his day with greater productivity in 16.

Day 2 saw Anaya commit to Pool 16. While he was targeting largemouth, which typically grow bigger, Anaya was thankful for a spotted bass rally that got his day going.

“I ran to my area where I caught my big ones yesterday and they were gone,” Anaya said. “I don’t know where they went. I caught like 13-pounds of spots out of there on a jerkbait and a frog and just kinda went looking.

“There were a lot of 2 1/2- to 2 3/4-pounders there, so I caught them while I could to calm my nerves and then went looking.”

Later in the day, Anaya shifted to his big-fish areas.

“I got lucky and swam a jig in grass patches for about an hour and a half and caught one largemouth right at 5 and one 4-pounder and that sealed the deal for me.”

Day 2 brought sunshine early, with clouds eventually overtaking the sky, as a significant weather system approached the area. The Day 3 forecast calls for daytime highs in the mid-60s, as opposed to upper 70s for the event’s first two days.

Assessing his third-round options, Anaya said he’ll likely follow an inverted version of his Day 1 game plan.

“I’m gonna have to go looking tomorrow,” he said. “I’m probably gonna lock up to Pool 17, after I fish a couple of stretches in Pool 16 and see where it gets me.”

The wildcard will be Semifinal Saturday’s weather complexion. Anaya’s aware of the likely impacts, but he’s confident that returning to Pool 17 will serve him well.

“I think the fish are bigger up there (than in Pool 16) and you can get more bites up there,” he said. “I’m gonna go see what I can do. Fingers crossed that they bite tomorrow.”

Having weighed a second-round bag comprising three spotted bass and two largemouth, Anaya said he anticipates needing another mixed bag on Day 3.

“I think, in general, you’re gonna have to win this tournament on largemouth,” he said. “I think if you have some bigger-than-average spots, you can make a run at it with spots.

“In practice, I caught two or three spots over 4, so I know there are big ones up there (Pool 17). I’m gonna need a mixed bag to win this tournament, so I’m gonna go chase the spots for a little bit and then go head hunting.”

Hailing from Philadelphia, Tenn., Foutz added 18-15 to his Day 1 bag of 18-1 and improved from seventh to second with a 37-pound total.

Having found a good area in Pool 15, Foutz said he has enjoyed the ideal scenario of solitude and abundance.

“It seems like the fish are coming to me and I was able to expand on my area today,” he said. “Hopefully, they keep coming to me and I can keep catching them for a couple more days.

“I’m catching some sight fishing and some just fishing. My biggest ones have come sight fishing. I don’t want to get too overly optimistic, but I haven’t seen another boat in two days.”

Anchoring his bag with a 6-pound bed fish, Foutz caught his fish on Texas-rigged Burtek Cranking Bug and a Megabass Magdraft swimbait.

Caleb Hudson of Lincolnton, Ga., is in third place with 36-10. After catching a second-place limit of 19-1 in the opening round, he added 17-9

Backing up the 5-4 he caught on Day 1, Hudson added a 6-8 today.

“I’m around a lot of big ones, but they’re really tough to get to bite,” he said. “I just have to luck into a couple of them and then scrounge out a limit. That’s what I’ve done the last two days.”

Hudson again stayed in Pool 16 and caught his big fish on a dropshot. He caught two more on a jighead minnow and two on a squarebill.

Trey McKinney of Carbondale, Ill., leads the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year points with 356. Cory Johnston of Otonabee, Canada is second with 348, followed by Hudson with 322, Cole Sands of Johnson City, Tenn., with 307, and Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas with 306.

Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. CT at Three Forks Harbor. The weigh-in will be held at the harbor at 3 p.m.

Bassmaster LIVE will be available all four days of the event, starting on Bassmaster.com and Roku Sports Channel April 16 and 17. FS1 will host the morning session on April 18 from 8-11:30 a.m. ET before heading to Bassmaster.com from 12:30-3 p.m. On Sunday, April 19 action can be found on FS1 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. before heading to Bassmaster.com for afternoon coverage. All weigh-ins will be available live on Bassmaster.com starting at 4 p.m. ET.

Visit Muskogee is hosting this event.

2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Title Sponsor: Progressive

2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Humminbird, Mercury, Mountain Dew, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Lew's, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, VMC, Yokohama

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 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Battery Tender, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, 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, Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks 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.

-30-

Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, [email protected]

2026 Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River 4/16-4/19
Arkansas River, Muskogee  OK.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Fisher Anaya           Eva, AL                 10  37-01  101
Day 1: 5   20-04     Day 2: 5   16-13
2.  Jacob Foutz            Philadelphia, TN        10  37-00  100
Day 1: 5   18-01     Day 2: 5   18-15
3.  Caleb Hudson           Lincolnton, GA          10  36-10   99   $1,000.00
Day 1: 5   19-01     Day 2: 5   17-09
4.  Jason Christie         Dry Creek, OK           10  36-06   98
Day 1: 5   18-04     Day 2: 5   18-02
5.  Austin Felix           Eden Prairie, MN        10  35-11   97
Day 1: 5   18-15     Day 2: 5   16-12
6.  Matt Arey              Shelby, NC              10  34-00   96
Day 1: 5   18-06     Day 2: 5   15-10
7.  Randy Howell           Guntersville, AL        10  33-15   95
Day 1: 5   17-13     Day 2: 5   16-02
8.  Trey McKinney          Carbondale, IL          10  33-01   94
Day 1: 5   16-03     Day 2: 5   16-14
9.  Luke Palmer            Atoka, OK               10  33-00   93
Day 1: 5   12-08     Day 2: 5   20-08
10. Brandon Palaniuk       Rathdrum, ID            10  32-15   92
Day 1: 5   19-00     Day 2: 5   13-15
11. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 10  32-11   91
Day 1: 5   13-08     Day 2: 5   19-03
12. Cory Johnston          Otonabee CANADA         10  32-04   90
Day 1: 5   15-07     Day 2: 5   16-13
13. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC          10  32-01   89   $1,000.00
Day 1: 5   17-04     Day 2: 5   14-13
14. Bob Downey             Detroit Lakes, MN       10  31-07   88
Day 1: 5   16-14     Day 2: 5   14-09
15. Gregory DiPalma        Millville, NJ           10  31-04   87
Day 1: 5   16-04     Day 2: 5   15-00
16. Pat Schlapper          Eleva, WI               10  31-02   86
Day 1: 5   17-06     Day 2: 5   13-12
17. Seth Feider            Elko New Market, MN     10  31-00   85
Day 1: 5   09-13     Day 2: 5   21-03
18. Patrick Walters        Eutawville, SC          10  30-06   84
Day 1: 5   17-08     Day 2: 5   12-14
19. Bryan Schmitt          Deale, MD               10  30-05   83
Day 1: 5   14-07     Day 2: 5   15-14
20. Bryant Smith           Roseville, CA           10  30-02   82
Day 1: 5   13-09     Day 2: 5   16-09
21. Justin Hamner          Northport, AL           10  30-00   81
Day 1: 5   15-07     Day 2: 5   14-09
22. Beau Browning          Hot Springs, AR         10  29-10   80
Day 1: 5   15-00     Day 2: 5   14-10
23. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR              10  29-06   79
Day 1: 5   14-02     Day 2: 5   15-04
24. Jake Whitaker          Hendersonville, NC      10  29-05   78
Day 1: 5   15-10     Day 2: 5   13-11
25. Will Davis Jr          Sylacauga, AL           10  29-04   77
Day 1: 5   17-09     Day 2: 5   11-11
26. Tristan McCormick      Bon Aqua, TN            10  29-02   76
Day 1: 5   16-10     Day 2: 5   12-08
27. Cole Sands             Johnson City, TN        10  28-15   75
Day 1: 5   17-13     Day 2: 5   11-02
28. Justin Atkins          Florence, AL            10  28-14   74
Day 1: 5   15-10     Day 2: 5   13-04
29. Chris Zaldain          Boyd, TX                10  28-13   73
Day 1: 5   11-00     Day 2: 5   17-13
30. Kyle Norsetter         Cottage Grove, WI       10  28-13   72
Day 1: 5   14-14     Day 2: 5   13-15
31. Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL        10  28-09   71
Day 1: 5   18-00     Day 2: 5   10-09
32. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY             10  28-09   70
Day 1: 5   11-09     Day 2: 5   17-00
33. Wes Logan              Springville, AL         10  28-05   69
Day 1: 5   13-15     Day 2: 5   14-06
34. Chris Johnston         Peterborough Ontario CA 10  28-04   68
Day 1: 5   13-01     Day 2: 5   15-03
35. Jordan Lee             Cullman, AL             10  28-03   67
Day 1: 5   15-05     Day 2: 5   12-14
36. Matt Messer            Warfield, KY            10  28-01   66
Day 1: 5   11-09     Day 2: 5   16-08
37. Joey Cifuentes III     Clinton, AR             10  28-01   65
Day 1: 5   14-06     Day 2: 5   13-11
38. Bryan New              Leesville, SC           10  28-00   64
Day 1: 5   16-03     Day 2: 5   11-13
39. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA          10  27-13   63
Day 1: 5   17-01     Day 2: 5   10-12
40. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN           10  27-13   62
Day 1: 5   16-03     Day 2: 5   11-10
41. Brandon Cobb           Greenwood, SC           10  27-11   61
Day 1: 5   15-09     Day 2: 5   12-02
42. Cody Meyer             Eagle, ID               10  27-09   60
Day 1: 5   16-09     Day 2: 5   11-00
43. Jeff Gustafson         Kenora, ON Ontario CANA 10  27-09   59
Day 1: 5   15-07     Day 2: 5   12-02
44. Matt Robertson         Kuttawa, KY             10  27-05   58
Day 1: 5   16-14     Day 2: 5   10-07
45. Andrew Loberg          Guntersville, AL        10  27-05   57
Day 1: 5   12-15     Day 2: 5   14-06
46. Tyler Rivet            Raceland, LA            10  27-04   56
Day 1: 5   16-10     Day 2: 5   10-10
47. Drew Cook              Cairo, GA               10  26-11   55
Day 1: 5   16-00     Day 2: 5   10-11
48. Kyle Welcher           Valley, AL              10  26-10   54
Day 1: 5   11-10     Day 2: 5   15-00
49. Dakota Ebare           Brookeland, TX          10  26-10   53
Day 1: 5   13-05     Day 2: 5   13-05
50. Brandon Card           Salisbury, NC           10  26-09   52
Day 1: 5   12-11     Day 2: 5   13-14
51. John Cox               Debary, FL              10  26-08   51
Day 1: 5   15-01     Day 2: 5   11-07
52. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA            10  26-06   50
Day 1: 5   13-08     Day 2: 5   12-14
53. Cody Huff              Ava, MO                 10  26-06   49
Day 1: 5   13-00     Day 2: 5   13-06
54. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX          10  26-05   48
Day 1: 5   14-03     Day 2: 5   12-02
55. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN        10  26-04   47
Day 1: 5   14-00     Day 2: 5   12-04
56. Brock Reinkemeyer      Warsaw, MO              10  26-01   46
Day 1: 5   13-12     Day 2: 5   12-05
57. KJ Queen               Catawba, NC             10  26-01   45
Day 1: 5   12-11     Day 2: 5   13-06
58. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL              10  25-15   44
Day 1: 5   13-00     Day 2: 5   12-15
59. Jay Przekurat          Stevens Point, WI       10  25-14   43
Day 1: 5   15-04     Day 2: 5   10-10
60. Paul Marks             Cumming, GA             10  25-14   42
Day 1: 5   11-13     Day 2: 5   14-01
61. Easton Fothergill      Grand Rapids , MN       10  25-14   41
Day 1: 5   13-06     Day 2: 5   12-08
62. Brad Whatley           Bivins, TX              10  25-13   40
Day 1: 5   15-00     Day 2: 5   10-13
63. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ              10  25-13   39
Day 1: 5   12-07     Day 2: 5   13-06
64. Tyler Williams         Barnett, MO             10  25-09   38
Day 1: 5   12-13     Day 2: 5   12-12
65. Hunter Shryock         Ooltewah, TN            10  25-08   37
Day 1: 5   14-14     Day 2: 5   10-10
66. Blake Capps            Muskogee, OK            10  25-02   36
Day 1: 5   13-13     Day 2: 5   11-05
67. John Garrett           Union City, TN          10  25-01   35
Day 1: 5   11-04     Day 2: 5   13-13
68. Lee Livesay            Longview, TX            10  25-00   34
Day 1: 5   13-12     Day 2: 5   11-04
69. Caleb Kuphall          Mukwonago, WI           10  24-14   33
Day 1: 5   11-06     Day 2: 5   13-08
70. Kyoya Fujita           Yamanashi CA JAPAN      10  24-11   32
Day 1: 5   09-09     Day 2: 5   15-02
71. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA               10  24-08   31
Day 1: 5   09-14     Day 2: 5   14-10
72. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, NJ         10  24-08   30
Day 1: 5   11-00     Day 2: 5   13-08
73. Jason Williamson       Aiken, SC               10  24-06   29
Day 1: 5   11-14     Day 2: 5   12-08
74. Cliff Pace             Ovett, MS               10  24-05   28
Day 1: 5   11-03     Day 2: 5   13-02
75. Sam Hanggi             Knoxville, TN           10  24-01   27
Day 1: 5   13-13     Day 2: 5   10-04
76. JT Thompkins           Myrtle Beach, SC        10  23-15   26
Day 1: 5   11-14     Day 2: 5   12-01
77. Aaron Jagdfeld         Rochester Hills, MI     10  23-12   25
Day 1: 5   13-00     Day 2: 5   10-12
78. Taku Ito               Dalton GA JAPAN         10  23-10   24
Day 1: 5   15-06     Day 2: 5   08-04
79. Emil Wagner            Marietta, GA            10  23-07   23
Day 1: 5   11-06     Day 2: 5   12-01
80. Evan Kung              Pickering Ontario CANAD 10  23-05   22
Day 1: 5   12-07     Day 2: 5   10-14
81. Alex Redwine           Blue Ash, OH            10  23-04   21
Day 1: 5   12-02     Day 2: 5   11-02
82. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS        10  23-03   20
Day 1: 5   12-02     Day 2: 5   11-01
83. Logan Parks            Auburn, AL              10  23-01   19
Day 1: 5   13-15     Day 2: 5   09-02
84. Russ Lane              Prattville, AL          10  22-14   18
Day 1: 5   13-14     Day 2: 5   09-00
85. Jacob Powroznik        North Prince George, VA 10  22-12   17
Day 1: 5   14-10     Day 2: 5   08-02
86. Pake South             Winnsboro, TX           10  22-07   16
Day 1: 5   13-01     Day 2: 5   09-06
87. Wesley Gore            Clanton, AL             10  22-05   15
Day 1: 5   12-03     Day 2: 5   10-02
88. Nick Trim              Galesville, WI          10  22-02   14
Day 1: 5   09-09     Day 2: 5   12-09
89. Drew Benton            Panama City, FL         10  22-01   13
Day 1: 5   14-00     Day 2: 5   08-01
90. Cooper Gallant         Bowmanville Ontario CAN 10  21-07   12
Day 1: 5   12-08     Day 2: 5   08-15
91. Austin Cranford        Oklahoma City, OK       10  21-07   11
Day 1: 5   10-13     Day 2: 5   10-10
92. Tucker Smith           Birmingham, AL          10  21-04   10
Day 1: 5   11-13     Day 2: 5   09-07
93. Scott Canterbury       Odenville, AL            9  20-13    9
Day 1: 5   11-05     Day 2: 4   09-08
94. David Gaston           Sylacauga, AL           10  20-05    8
Day 1: 5   10-01     Day 2: 5   10-04
95. Kyle Patrick           Cooperstown, NY          8  19-04    7
Day 1: 3   06-06     Day 2: 5   12-14
96. Shane LeHew            Catawba, NC              8  19-03    6
Day 1: 5   13-02     Day 2: 3   06-01
97. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN          10  19-02    5
Day 1: 5   10-13     Day 2: 5   08-05
98. Kenta Kimura           Osaka OK JAPAN           7  17-13    4
Day 1: 5   12-02     Day 2: 2   05-11
99. Buddy Gross            Chattanooga, TN         10  17-03    3
Day 1: 5   09-04     Day 2: 5   07-15
100. Robert Gee             Knoxville, TN            7  16-03    2
Day 1: 2   05-09     Day 2: 5   10-10
101. Jamie Hartman          Newport, NY              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1   Hank Cherry Jr           Lincolnton, NC      05-13      $1,000.00
2   Caleb Hudson             Lincolnton, GA      06-08      $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        98       495      1394-09
2        97       494      1285-08
----------------------------------
195       989      2680-01

by AnglersChannel

Anaya’s adjustment delivers Day 1 lead in Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — Fisher Anaya ran away from most of the field, but meeting back in the middle salvaged his day and positioned him atop the Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River with a 20-pound, 4-ounce limit.

With the event based on Pool 16, tournament boundaries also comprise pools 17 and 15. The largest percentage of the field locked downriver to Pool 15, for what is generally considered the greatest concentration of quality fish in this region of the river.

Anaya, a Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series rookie from Eva, Ala., calculated the considerable time required for locking into Pool 15, versus the shorter time he’d need to reach Pool 17. Factoring in his practice results, plus his experience at the previous Elite event, he chose the upriver option.

“I locked down at the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway with like 50 other guys and I was like, heck with traffic,” Anaya said. “I locked up today and there was eight or nine of us in the lock. It wasn’t bad.

“I had a better practice up there (Pool 17). I caught 20 pounds the first day of practice and when I went down to Pool 15, I had four fish one day and 15 pounds the next. I just canned that area because I didn’t feel like making a long run.”

As Anaya explained, time management ultimately determined his game plan.

“I didn’t think I could catch them fast enough in the short time I’d have to fish,” he said. “I just gave myself more time to fish.”

Anaya, the 2025 Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Angler of the Year, reached Pool 17 and found that lower water conditions had altered the scenario. He was able to catch two big fish that he had marked in practice, but around midday, Anaya realized he needed to make a change.

After that, he returned to Pool 16 where he found greater productivity with fish relating to grass patches and a few fry guarders (male bass protecting hatchlings).

“I found one patch of grass and caught three big ones on three casts,” Anaya said. “I got a little bit lucky, but I think luck plays a big factor on this place.

“I caught the two fish from Pool 17 on a 3/8-ounce ChatterBait, but in Pool 16, it was a little bit of everything. I caught one on a ChatterBait, one on a swim jig, one on a wacky rig, one on a jerkbait. I weighed two from Pool 17 and three from Pool 16.”

Finding the fish in a less-cooperative mood, Anaya realized that success hinged on persistence.

“Making a lot of casts in the same general area was the key,” he said. “I threw like 10 times in this one patch of grass and finally on my 11th cast, I caught a 4-pounder.

“I think it was about fishing stuff really thoroughly and not leaving any open gaps. You’ll eventually run it across one’s nose and eventually, he snaps at it.”

In both pools, Anaya said he was looking for grass and clean water. He’s confident that Pool 17 holds enough opportunity for another shot on Day 2, but he’ll likely change his starting order.

“I’m probably gonna stay in Pool 16 to start,” he said. “If I struggle, I might go up to Pool 17.

“I only have a handful of areas that have what I’m looking for and I think everyone else has found them,” Anaya said. “There’s gonna be some boats in there and it’s gonna be crowded, so I just have to out-fish them.

Caleb Hudson of Lincolnton, Ga., is in second place with 19-1. The first angler to weigh in, Hudson spent his day in Pool 16.

“I didn’t have a good practice, so I decided to stay in one backwater area all day,” Hudson said. “The area I fished was about 3 acres. I got up on plane one time today while I was fishing.

“I got lucky and caught my big one — 5-4 — early and that kinda set the mood. That was my third fish and after I caught that one, I knew I just had to catch five fish. I just put my head down and went after it.”

Noting that his area had the cleanest water he has seen anywhere on the river, Hudson said he caught most of his fish over rock — a point that countered his expectations.

“In practice, I planned to stay on the bank, but first thing this morning, I pulled up on my first spot and there was a boat where wanted to get, so I just move around some,” Hudson said. “I saw a stump, cast at it and something came off of it.

“I caught that one and then eased out a little deeper and caught everything else on isolated rock.”

Hudson caught all of his fish on an 1/8-ounce Gamakatsu jig head with a Zoom minnow and a Coike Fullcast rigged on a No. 3 Gamakatsu round bend treble with a 1/32-ounce nail weight.

Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho is in third place with 19-0. Spending most of his day in Pool 15, Palaniuk said he found he could either fish long stretches or target specific spots. Both strategies produced, but he spent more time pursuing the latter.

“I ran around a lot today; I actually thought I was gonna run out of gas,” Palaniuk said. “I’m fishing specific places and covering a lot of water.

“I caught them on a little bit of everything. I caught them on the bottom, on the top and in between.”

Hank Cherry of Lincolnton, N.C. holds the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead with a 5-13.

Trey McKinney of Carbondale, Ill., leads the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year points with 342. Cory Johnston of Otonabee, Canada is second with 331, followed by Cole Sands of Johnson City, Tenn., with 325, Hudson with 323 and Drew Cook of Cairo, Ga., with 311.

Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. CT at Three Forks Harbor. The weigh-in will be held at the harbor at 3 p.m.

Bassmaster LIVE will be available all four days of the event, starting on Bassmaster.com and Roku Sports Channel April 16 and 17. FS1 will host the morning session on April 18 from 8-11:30 a.m. ET before heading to Bassmaster.com from 12:30-3 p.m. On Sunday, April 19 action can be found on FS1 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. before heading to Bassmaster.com for afternoon coverage. All weigh-ins will be available live on Bassmaster.com starting at 4 p.m. ET.

Visit Muskogee is hosting this event.

2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Title Sponsor: Progressive

2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Humminbird, Mercury, Mountain Dew, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2026 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Lew's, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, VMC, Yokohama

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 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Battery Tender, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, 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, Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks 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.

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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Communications Manager, 334-414-8677, [email protected]

2026 Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River 4/16-4/19
Arkansas River, Muskogee  OK.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Fisher Anaya           Eva, AL                  5  20-04  101
Day 1: 5   20-04
2.  Caleb Hudson           Lincolnton, GA           5  19-01  100
Day 1: 5   19-01
3.  Brandon Palaniuk       Rathdrum, ID             5  19-00   99
Day 1: 5   19-00
4.  Austin Felix           Eden Prairie, MN         5  18-15   98
Day 1: 5   18-15
5.  Matt Arey              Shelby, NC               5  18-06   97
Day 1: 5   18-06
6.  Jason Christie         Dry Creek, OK            5  18-04   96
Day 1: 5   18-04
7.  Jacob Foutz            Philadelphia, TN         5  18-01   95
Day 1: 5   18-01
8.  Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL         5  18-00   94
Day 1: 5   18-00
9.  Randy Howell           Guntersville, AL         5  17-13   93
Day 1: 5   17-13
9.  Cole Sands             Johnson City, TN         5  17-13   93
Day 1: 5   17-13
11. Will Davis Jr          Sylacauga, AL            5  17-09   91
Day 1: 5   17-09
12. Patrick Walters        Eutawville, SC           5  17-08   90
Day 1: 5   17-08
13. Pat Schlapper          Eleva, WI                5  17-06   89
Day 1: 5   17-06
14. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC           5  17-04   88   $1,000.00
Day 1: 5   17-04
15. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA           5  17-01   87
Day 1: 5   17-01
16. Bob Downey             Detroit Lakes, MN        5  16-14   86
Day 1: 5   16-14
16. Matt Robertson         Kuttawa, KY              5  16-14   86
Day 1: 5   16-14
18. Tristan McCormick      Bon Aqua, TN             5  16-10   84
Day 1: 5   16-10
18. Tyler Rivet            Raceland, LA             5  16-10   84
Day 1: 5   16-10
20. Cody Meyer             Eagle, ID                5  16-09   82
Day 1: 5   16-09
21. Gregory DiPalma        Millville, NJ            5  16-04   81
Day 1: 5   16-04
22. Trey McKinney          Carbondale, IL           5  16-03   80
Day 1: 5   16-03
22. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            5  16-03   80
Day 1: 5   16-03
22. Bryan New              Leesville, SC            5  16-03   80
Day 1: 5   16-03
25. Drew Cook              Cairo, GA                5  16-00   77
Day 1: 5   16-00
26. Justin Atkins          Florence, AL             5  15-10   76
Day 1: 5   15-10
26. Jake Whitaker          Hendersonville, NC       5  15-10   76
Day 1: 5   15-10
28. Brandon Cobb           Greenwood, SC            5  15-09   74
Day 1: 5   15-09
29. Jeff Gustafson         Kenora, ON Ontario CANA  5  15-07   73
Day 1: 5   15-07
29. Justin Hamner          Northport, AL            5  15-07   73
Day 1: 5   15-07
29. Cory Johnston          Otonabee CANADA          5  15-07   73
Day 1: 5   15-07
32. Taku Ito               Dalton GA JAPAN          5  15-06   70
Day 1: 5   15-06
33. Jordan Lee             Cullman, AL              5  15-05   69
Day 1: 5   15-05
34. Jay Przekurat          Stevens Point, WI        5  15-04   68
Day 1: 5   15-04
35. John Cox               Debary, FL               5  15-01   67
Day 1: 5   15-01
36. Beau Browning          Hot Springs, AR          5  15-00   66
Day 1: 5   15-00
36. Brad Whatley           Bivins, TX               5  15-00   66
Day 1: 5   15-00
38. Kyle Norsetter         Cottage Grove, WI        5  14-14   64
Day 1: 5   14-14
38. Hunter Shryock         Ooltewah, TN             5  14-14   64
Day 1: 5   14-14
40. Jacob Powroznik        North Prince George, VA  5  14-10   62
Day 1: 5   14-10
41. Bryan Schmitt          Deale, MD                5  14-07   61
Day 1: 5   14-07
42. Joey Cifuentes III     Clinton, AR              5  14-06   60
Day 1: 5   14-06
43. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX           5  14-03   59
Day 1: 5   14-03
44. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR               5  14-02   58
Day 1: 5   14-02
45. Drew Benton            Panama City, FL          5  14-00   57
Day 1: 5   14-00
45. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         5  14-00   57
Day 1: 5   14-00
47. Wes Logan              Springville, AL          5  13-15   55
Day 1: 5   13-15
47. Logan Parks            Auburn, AL               5  13-15   55
Day 1: 5   13-15
49. Russ Lane              Prattville, AL           5  13-14   53
Day 1: 5   13-14
50. Blake Capps            Muskogee, OK             5  13-13   52
Day 1: 5   13-13
50. Sam Hanggi             Knoxville, TN            5  13-13   52
Day 1: 5   13-13
52. Lee Livesay            Longview, TX             5  13-12   50
Day 1: 5   13-12
52. Brock Reinkemeyer      Warsaw, MO               5  13-12   50
Day 1: 5   13-12
54. Bryant Smith           Roseville, CA            5  13-09   48
Day 1: 5   13-09
55. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA             5  13-08   47
Day 1: 5   13-08
56. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland TN AUSTRALIA  5  13-08   46
Day 1: 5   13-08
57. Easton Fothergill      Grand Rapids , MN        5  13-06   45
Day 1: 5   13-06
58. Dakota Ebare           Brookeland, TX           5  13-05   44
Day 1: 5   13-05
59. Shane LeHew            Catawba, NC              5  13-02   43
Day 1: 5   13-02
60. Chris Johnston         Peterborough Ontario CA  5  13-01   42
Day 1: 5   13-01
60. Pake South             Winnsboro, TX            5  13-01   42
Day 1: 5   13-01
62. Cody Huff              Ava, MO                  5  13-00   40
Day 1: 5   13-00
62. Aaron Jagdfeld         Rochester Hills, MI      5  13-00   40
Day 1: 5   13-00
62. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL               5  13-00   40
Day 1: 5   13-00
65. Andrew Loberg          Guntersville, AL         5  12-15   37
Day 1: 5   12-15
66. Tyler Williams         Barnett, MO              5  12-13   36
Day 1: 5   12-13
67. Brandon Card           Salisbury, NC            5  12-11   35
Day 1: 5   12-11
67. KJ Queen               Catawba, NC              5  12-11   35
Day 1: 5   12-11
69. Cooper Gallant         Bowmanville Ontario CAN  5  12-08   33
Day 1: 5   12-08
69. Luke Palmer            Atoka, OK                5  12-08   33
Day 1: 5   12-08
71. Evan Kung              Pickering Ontario CANAD  5  12-07   31
Day 1: 5   12-07
71. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ               5  12-07   31
Day 1: 5   12-07
73. Wesley Gore            Clanton, AL              5  12-03   29
Day 1: 5   12-03
74. Kenta Kimura           Osaka OK JAPAN           5  12-02   28
Day 1: 5   12-02
74. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS         5  12-02   28
Day 1: 5   12-02
74. Alex Redwine           Blue Ash, OH             5  12-02   28
Day 1: 5   12-02
77. JT Thompkins           Myrtle Beach, SC         5  11-14   25
Day 1: 5   11-14
77. Jason Williamson       Aiken, SC                5  11-14   25
Day 1: 5   11-14
79. Paul Marks             Cumming, GA              5  11-13   23
Day 1: 5   11-13
79. Tucker Smith           Birmingham, AL           5  11-13   23
Day 1: 5   11-13
81. Kyle Welcher           Valley, AL               5  11-10   21
Day 1: 5   11-10
82. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY              5  11-09   20
Day 1: 5   11-09
82. Matt Messer            Warfield, KY             5  11-09   20
Day 1: 5   11-09
84. Caleb Kuphall          Mukwonago, WI            5  11-06   18
Day 1: 5   11-06
84. Emil Wagner            Marietta, GA             5  11-06   18
Day 1: 5   11-06
86. Scott Canterbury       Odenville, AL            5  11-05   16
Day 1: 5   11-05
87. John Garrett           Union City, TN           5  11-04   15
Day 1: 5   11-04
88. Cliff Pace             Ovett, MS                5  11-03   14
Day 1: 5   11-03
89. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, NJ          5  11-00   13
Day 1: 5   11-00
89. Chris Zaldain          Boyd, TX                 5  11-00   13
Day 1: 5   11-00
91. Austin Cranford        Oklahoma City, OK        5  10-13   11
Day 1: 5   10-13
91. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN           5  10-13   11
Day 1: 5   10-13
93. David Gaston           Sylacauga, AL            5  10-01    9
Day 1: 5   10-01
94. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA                5  09-14    8
Day 1: 5   09-14
95. Seth Feider            Elko New Market, MN      5  09-13    7
Day 1: 5   09-13
96. Kyoya Fujita           Yamanashi CA JAPAN       5  09-09    6
Day 1: 5   09-09
96. Nick Trim              Galesville, WI           5  09-09    6
Day 1: 5   09-09
98. Buddy Gross            Chattanooga, TN          5  09-04    4
Day 1: 5   09-04
99. Kyle Patrick           Cooperstown, NY          3  06-06    3
Day 1: 3   06-06
100. Robert Gee             Knoxville, TN            2  05-09    2
Day 1: 2   05-09
101. Jamie Hartman          Newport, NY              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
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PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1   Hank Cherry Jr           Lincolnton, NC      05-13      $1,000.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        98       495      1394-09
----------------------------------
98       495      1394-09

by AnglersChannel