Bassmaster’s 1st Tuesday Night LIVE
KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. — If you’ve ever experienced the fast-paced fun of an evening bass tournament, April 21 is going to deliver that excitement to fans in a whole new way on Table Rock Lake. Bass fishing fans are in for a truly unique event as Tuesday Night LIVE on Table Rock delivers a fun, fast-paced, grass-roots-style showdown featuring some of the biggest names in professional bass fishing. The first Bassmaster Team Tournament and first ever Tuesday Night Bassmaster Tournament brought to you by AFTCO, Beatdown Outdoors, Gamakatsu, SPRO and Sunline.
On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, eight Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pros will trade the national stage for a down-home competition at Mill Creek Boat Ramp in Kimberling City, Missouri. With four boats, two legendary hosts, and five powerhouse sponsors, the event blends top-tier talent with the relaxed atmosphere of a local Tuesday night jackpot tournament.
The evening begins at 4 p.m. CT as competitors arrive at the ramp to prepare their gear and exchange some friendly trash talk with entertaining hosts of Dave Mercer and Mark Zona. At 4:30 p.m., its blast-off time, and the teams will hit Table Rock Lake for a high-energy, three-hour shootout. At 7:30 PM, the boats return to the ramp for a traditional, no-frills weigh-in — just like the weekly tournaments anglers across the country know and love.
“This event is all about getting back to the roots of tournament fishing,” said Mark Zona. “No big stage, no big production, just great anglers, great competition, and a fun night on one of America’s most iconic bass lakes.”
Phillip Johnson, B.A.S.S. Chief Operating Officer, said the organization is excited to bring a live Tuesday night event directly to fans in a fresh and accessible format.
“We’re thrilled to bring Tuesday Night LIVE to our fans and showcase these incredible anglers in a format that feels authentic and close to home,” Johnson said. “This event captures the spirit of local jackpot tournaments while still featuring the very best talent in the sport. It’s another way for us to connect directly with our audience and deliver live bass fishing in a fun, innovative way.”
The event will feature limited commercial interruptions and will be streamed live on Bassmaster.com, the Bassmaster YouTube channel and the Bassmaster Channel on Roku, Plex and Freebie TV.
Adding to the excitement, the tournament will follow a traditional team format, pairing one boater with one non-boater. While the four boaters have already been selected, fans will have the chance to determine the pairings through online voting, giving them a direct role in shaping the competition. Fans are going to have a lot of opportunities to get involved ahead of the event and chances to win some great prizes. Fan voting will determine the pairings of the eight selected anglers and fans will have a chance to submit team names and possibly win thousands of dollars in prizes.
The eight-man field is stacked with an all-star mix of established legends and rising stars. Leading the boater lineup is Drew Cook, the 2019 Bassmaster Elite Rookie of the Year and an Elite Series event champion known for his consistency and sight-fishing prowess. If the fish are spawning, Cook will be a major threat to find the biggest bites on Table Rock. Joining him is Drew Benton, the 2016 Rookie of the Year and two-time Elite Series winner, a proven performer who is especially dangerous during the month of April.
Bryan New brings momentum and versatility to the event, having burst onto the Elite Series scene with a victory in his very first tournament. As the 2020 Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year, New has shown he can win in any format. Rounding out the boaters is Kyle Welcher, the 2023 Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year, whose record-shattering performances and deep roots in jackpot-style tournaments make him a perfect fit for this competition.
The non-boater side is just as impressive. Chris Johnston, a back-to-back Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year, is widely regarded as one of the most consistent anglers in the sport and will be a valuable partner for any team. Bassmaster legend Mike Iaconelli adds star power and passion to the event. A Bassmaster Classic champion and Angler of the Year, Ike has announced that 2026 will be his final Elite Series season, making this a special opportunity for fans to see him compete in a relaxed, fun environment.
Jason Christie, a Bassmaster Classic champion and multiple-time Elite winner, is known as one of the fiercest and most intense competitors in professional bass fishing. His relentless drive ensures he’ll be taking this event just as seriously as any major tournament. Completing the field is rising Elite Series pro Kyle Patrick, whose versatile skill set and confident attitude make him an exciting wildcard no matter who he is paired with.
Fans can catch every minute of the action live from 4 to 8 p.m. CT on Bassmaster.com, with a simulcast on the Bassmaster YouTube channel and the Bassmaster Channel on Roku, Plex and Freebie TV. Spectators are also welcome to attend the weigh-in in person at Mill Creek Boat Ramp to experience the excitement up close.
With no big stage, no frills, and nothing on the line but bragging rights and a winner take all cash prize, the Tuesday Night LIVE on Table Rock is designed to feel just like your local weekday tournament, only with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Mark your calendar for April 21 and join the action, watch live online or come experience it in person. This is one Tuesday night on Table Rock you won’t want to miss.
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.














