Stop #5 of the 2026 season for MLF pros begins Thursday at Beaver Lake, AR.

Vexus® pro, Keith Carson sits in the Top 10 of the Angler of the Year race, and there’s reason to believe his success so far this year is being fueled by the top-notch sandwich wraps he and traveling buddy Anthony Gagliardi create.

 

Q: What’s your past tournament history on Beaver Lake?

 Carson: Not much. I fished here years ago as a co-angler one time, and I fished here as my best friend John Cox’s amateur practice partner.

 

Q: So how did you begin to find bass on a fishery you don’t know very well, 19 hours from your home in Florida?

Carson: In the springtime it always starts with knowing what phase of the spawn bass are in. I know from being at Table Rock, not far from here for REDCREST a few days ago, that bass in this region are in the spawn and post spawn. Plus, I know after two days of practice the shad are up shallow spawning big time in the early mornings, so I’ll definitely be throwing the big willow leaf spinnerbait around.

 

Q: What’s going to be the biggest challenge for you this week?

Carson: Being able to adjust daily to both weather changes and rising water. If something I did in practice is not working in the tournament, I need to stay totally open-minded and fish the new conditions.

 

Q: What are you packing in the highly insulated and gel-coated cooler of your Vexus AVX2100 Thursday morning?

Carson: Oh, dude! My roommate Anthony Gagliardi brough pimento cheese spread from South Carolina. So, we’re having some incredible ham and pimento cheese wraps with feta stuffed olives on them. We don’t play around when it comes to making great lunches.

 

Q: What do you figure your best friend of 25-years, John Cox is doing right now?

Carson: Probably kicking a soccer ball to a family of bears that live in the woods next to his house. He kicked a basketball to them a couple months ago and they popped it with one bite!