Jagdfeld wins weather-shortened Nation Qualifier at Lake Erie
MONROE, Mich. — Lake St. Clair is Aaron Jagdfeld’s favorite place in the country to bass fish, and this week the Michigan native earned some major hardware on his home waters.
Making the 130-mile round-trip journey from the western shore of Lake Erie to Lake St. Clair, Jagdfeld won the weather-shortened 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Erie presented by Lowrance with a limit of smallmouth weighing 23 pounds, 5 ounces, anchoring his bag with a 5-7 smallmouth that earned Big Bass of the Tournament honors.
“I know it’s not how it usually happens,” Jagdfeld said. “It’s a wild way for it to happen, and I don’t have any words to describe it. It is a pretty incredible feeling. I really wanted to win this one with it being on my home lake. It is incredible to get it done on my favorite place in the world.”
Iowa’s Chris Miller finished second with 21-10 followed by Ohio’s Cody Dawson in third with 21-8, Allex Conner in fourth with 20-10 and Jacob Swanson in fifth with 19-15.
Jagdfeld came close to winning two major tournaments last season, both of which would have sent him to the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour that was held in Fort Worth, Texas, with competition on Lake Ray Roberts. Last July, he finished second to Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jay Przekurat during the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake St. Clair presented by SEVIIN. Then in late September, the Adrian College grad made the final round of the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s at Tims Ford Lake, finishing second to Dylan Akins.
Now, the 24-year-old will have another shot at qualifying for the Classic at the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance.
“Finishing second in both of those events added fuel to the fire and makes me want to get to the Classic so much more,” Jagdfeld said. “I’m excited to get to the National Championship.”
As often happens, the wind kicked up on the Great Lakes this week, creating challenging conditions on Day 1 and downright hazardous conditions the rest of the week. Forecasts called for 15 to 30 mph winds out of the west on Thursday and wave heights rising between 5 and 9 feet, forcing the cancellation of Day 2. Conditions were not much better Friday morning as anglers prepared to take off as the winds shifted to the east, and tournament officials made the decision to cancel the final day.
During Wednesday competition day, Jagdfeld focused on smallmouth that had already moved into their summer patterns. Those bass were feeding on perch in 17 to 19 feet of water around isolated patches of cabbage.
“It might not have been that high off the bottom,” he explained. “Even if those fish weren’t sitting in the cabbage, they would be right around and in the general area. Those bass will congregate around something a little different on those sand flats. It wasn’t super-thick, either. They were just little clumps.”
Once he found a promising patch of cabbage, Jagdfeld pitched a Rapala CrushCity Freeloader to the smallmouth he saw on his forward-facing sonar. He rigged it on a 5/16-ounce VMC Hybrid Head to make sure the bait reached smallies moving at a high rate of speed.
“It’s not fishing a rockpile where the bass are just sitting there. These fish are constantly zigzagging,” he said. “That head gets down to them really fast, so you are a lot more efficient. Those smallmouth like it moving away from them quickly most of the time, so you can fish the bait really quickly and get a reaction strike out of them.”
If they didn’t eat the Freeloader, Jagdfeld would throw a 6-inch Deps Sakamata Shad on a 3/16-ounce Owner Range Roller Round Head XL jighead, which fell through the water column at the same rate of speed but gave the bass a different profile.
Miller notched his second top finish in a one-day B.A.S.S. derby earlier this year after winning the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn presented by SEVIIN in February and punching his ticket to the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
“We’ll take it. I was really anxious to get out there today, but the right call was made,” Miller said. “I’m excited to get an opportunity to get a shot at the Natty. The main focus now is making the (Progressive Bassmaster) Elite Series.”
The Iowa native also made the long run to St. Clair where he targeted a 50-yard stretch of short grass in 10 to 12 feet of water. High spots within that 50-yard stretch held the better groups of bass.
He caught 40 smallmouth on Day 1 to work his way to his 21-10 limit. A Strike King Baby Z-Too in the Arkansas shiner color rigged on an Owner 3/16-ounce Range Roller jighead produced all of his bites. Miller said finding a group of bass in their summer patterns was a key piece to his success.
“In practice, I noticed the short grass was a lot better. When it got hot later in the week, the bass were really moving to the short grass and actually schooling up,” Miller said. “I pulled up and had my limit in 15 minutes. I would break the school up, and then a little later I would circle back. I upgraded all day.”
Mount Vernon, Ohio’s Cody Dawson fished isolated rocks and rockpiles in 22 feet of water on Lake Erie to finish third with 21-8. He pitched a smoke purple Berkley Flat Worm rigged on a 1/2-ounce drop shot to the rocks.
“It was extremely tough for me,” Dawson said. “I thought I had a pretty good gameplan with a school (of smallmouth) at my starting spot, but it did not pan out. So, I kept running individual rocks and rockpiles and I eventually landed in an area that had them. I put a good bag in quickly.
“I didn’t LiveScope any of them.”
Indiana’s Paul Andorfer and Ontario’s Warren Cooper tied for the top spot in the nonboater division with 12-0. Minnesota’s Perry See finished third with 11-11, followed by Rhonda Pitts in fourth with 11-1 and Jediah Barrett in fifth with 10-11. Barrett also claimed Big Bass of the Tournament honors with a 4-3.
The Top 18 boaters and nonboaters claimed a spot in the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance scheduled for Oct. 22-25.
Explore Monroe Michigan hosted the tournament.
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series Pr
2025 B.A.S.S. Nation Series
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, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, 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, Bassmaster Junior Series, 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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2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Erie presented by Lowrance 7/16-7/18
Lake Erie, Monroe MI.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Aaron Jagdfeld Rochester Hills, MI 5 23-05 0
Day 1: 5 23-05
2. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 5 21-10 0
Day 1: 5 21-10
3. Cody Dawson Mount Vernon, OH 5 21-08 0
Day 1: 5 21-08
4. Allex Conner Delaware, OH 5 20-10 0
Day 1: 5 20-10
5. Jacob Swanson Framingham, MA 5 19-15 0
Day 1: 5 19-15
6. Jonathon Dewey Fort Gratiot, MI 5 19-13 0
Day 1: 5 19-13
7. Kevin Martin Crown City, OH 5 19-11 0
Day 1: 5 19-11
8. Connor Sirois Buxton, ME 5 19-11 0
Day 1: 5 19-11
9. Brian Brown Sandusky, OH 5 19-03 0
Day 1: 5 19-03
10. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 5 19-02 0
Day 1: 5 19-02
11. Charles Sim Wasaga Beach Ontario CA 5 19-00 0
Day 1: 5 19-00
12. Keith Poulin Lisbon, ME 5 18-13 0
Day 1: 5 18-13
13. Bryce Poulin Lisbon, ME 5 18-11 0
Day 1: 5 18-11
14. Reece Keeney Winneconne, WI 5 18-10 0
Day 1: 5 18-10
15. Paul Ersing Ogunquit, ME 5 18-09 0
Day 1: 5 18-09
16. Justin Hrach Rostraver Township, PA 5 18-04 0
Day 1: 5 18-04
17. Nathan Delaney Jr Weyauwega, WI 5 18-01 0
Day 1: 5 18-01
18. Larry Clontz Trenton, OH 5 18-01 0
Day 1: 5 18-01
19. Ty Austin Rush, NY 5 17-15 0
Day 1: 5 17-15
20. Nick Deering Portland, ME 5 17-14 0
Day 1: 5 17-14
21. Griffin Fernandes Fishers, IN 5 17-14 0
Day 1: 5 17-14
22. Eddie Levin Westerville, OH 5 17-12 0
Day 1: 5 17-12
23. Matt Mosby Dryden, MI 5 17-07 0
Day 1: 5 17-07
24. Whitney Stephens Waverly, OH 5 17-04 0
Day 1: 5 17-04
25. Kyle Moodie Ripon, WI 5 17-04 0
Day 1: 5 17-04
26. Jack Frame Fremont, WI 5 17-02 0
Day 1: 5 17-02
27. Bradley Baxter Willshire, OH 5 17-01 0
Day 1: 5 17-01
28. Taylor Umland Carlock, IL 5 16-15 0
Day 1: 5 16-15
29. Eric Storms Winner, SD 5 16-15 0
Day 1: 5 16-15
30. Doug Chapin Tigerton, WI 5 16-14 0
Day 1: 5 16-14
31. Matt McCoy Indianapolis, IN 5 16-14 0
Day 1: 5 16-14
32. Mark Tonjum Jr Spencer, IA 5 16-12 0
Day 1: 5 16-12
33. Russell Volquardsen Creighton, NE 5 16-10 0
Day 1: 5 16-10
34. Trysten Williams Georgetown, IN 5 16-10 0
Day 1: 5 16-10
35. Michael Spaulding Jr. Dundee, MI 5 16-07 0
Day 1: 5 16-07
36. Derrick Soulliere Belle River Ontario CAN 4 16-07 0
Day 1: 4 16-07
37. Cory Mathes New Holstein, WI 5 16-06 0
Day 1: 5 16-06
38. Eric Aguilar Grand Blanc, MI 5 16-04 0
Day 1: 5 16-04
39. Michael Egnac West Mifflin, PA 5 16-03 0
Day 1: 5 16-03
40. Jacob Zaremski Rochester, NY 5 15-15 0
Day 1: 5 15-15
41. Andrew Sams Easton, MD 5 15-13 0
Day 1: 5 15-13
42. Brock Belik Orchard, NE 5 15-12 0
Day 1: 5 15-12
43. Carson Peeters Menasha, WI 5 15-11 0
Day 1: 5 15-11
44. Josh Cole Columbus, IN 5 15-10 0
Day 1: 5 15-10
45. Corey Bohlmann Le Roy, IL 5 15-09 0
Day 1: 5 15-09
45. Mason Gillihan Manchester, IA 5 15-09 0
Day 1: 5 15-09
47. Cason Hiers St. Paul, MN 5 15-08 0
Day 1: 5 15-08
48. Matthew Davis Morenci, MI 5 15-07 0
Day 1: 5 15-07
49. Matt Marques Seneca, IL 5 15-07 0
Day 1: 5 15-07
50. Darryl Halbert Enoree, SC 5 15-07 0
Day 1: 5 15-07
51. Jose Munoz McHenry , IL 5 15-05 0
Day 1: 5 15-05
52. Chad Timmer Hudsonville, MI 5 15-05 0
Day 1: 5 15-05
53. Shane Nelson Wadsworth, OH 5 15-04 0
Day 1: 5 15-04
54. Vince Xiong Champlin, MN 5 15-03 0
Day 1: 5 15-03
55. Dustin Bauer Louisville , KY 5 15-02 0
Day 1: 5 15-02
55. Corey Lindsey Marion, OH 5 15-02 0
Day 1: 5 15-02
57. Bryan Finch Belton, TX 5 15-02 0
Day 1: 5 15-02
58. Randy Huffman Charleston, WV 5 14-14 0
Day 1: 5 14-14
59. Tim Ward Coshocton, OH 5 14-13 0
Day 1: 5 14-13
60. Steven Smith Johnstown, OH 5 14-10 0
Day 1: 5 14-10
61. Jeremiah Acton Shelbyville, MI 5 14-09 0
Day 1: 5 14-09
62. Miles Johnson Washington Twp, OH 5 14-09 0
Day 1: 5 14-09
62. Zack Morris Durham, ME 5 14-09 0
Day 1: 5 14-09
64. Bryce Hauf Winner, SD 5 14-08 0
Day 1: 5 14-08
65. Nathan Reynolds Florence, AL 5 14-07 0
Day 1: 5 14-07
66. Ed Powell Sandyville, WV 5 14-06 0
Day 1: 5 14-06
67. Joe Titus Bemidji, MN 5 14-06 0
Day 1: 5 14-06
68. Gunner Wilson Fenton, MI 5 14-05 0
Day 1: 5 14-05
69. James Welch II Litchfield, ME 5 14-05 0
Day 1: 5 14-05
70. Josh Sokol Orland Park, IL 5 14-04 0
Day 1: 5 14-04
71. Louis Monetti Brielle, NJ 5 14-03 0
Day 1: 5 14-03
72. Troy Thorington West Olive, MI 5 14-00 0
Day 1: 5 14-00
73. Jerry Koller Paragon, IN 5 13-14 0
Day 1: 5 13-14
74. Gary Greenwood Taylors, SC 4 13-14 0
Day 1: 4 13-14
75. Jordan Hirt Council Bluffs, IA 5 13-12 0
Day 1: 5 13-12
75. Chris Johnson Farmington, AR 5 13-12 0
Day 1: 5 13-12
77. Nick Hargis Wentzville, MO 5 13-11 0
Day 1: 5 13-11
78. Mitchell Elsey Olivet, MI 5 13-11 0
Day 1: 5 13-11
79. Steve York Bronson, MI 4 13-10 0
Day 1: 4 13-10
80. Michael Kazmierczak Lemont, IL 5 13-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-09
81. Chase Loftus Iowa City, IA 5 13-03 0
Day 1: 5 13-03
82. David Reiss Westport Island, ME 5 13-03 0
Day 1: 5 13-03
83. Ricardo Guzman Farmington, MO 5 13-00 0
Day 1: 5 13-00
84. Justin Rowse O’Neill, NE 5 12-15 0
Day 1: 5 12-15
85. Cliff Van Beek Canistota, SD 5 12-14 0
Day 1: 5 12-14
86. Kevin Allen Springport, IN 5 12-12 0
Day 1: 5 12-12
87. Edward Gad Morris, IL 5 12-10 0
Day 1: 5 12-10
88. Kevin Newcomb Saint Albans, WV 5 12-07 0
Day 1: 5 12-07
89. Shane Oltjenbruns Neligh, NE 5 12-06 0
Day 1: 5 12-06
90. Chris Rhodes Eaton, IN 3 12-06 0
Day 1: 3 12-06
91. Nobuyuki Terajima Hermitage, TN 4 11-15 0
Day 1: 4 11-15
92. Dan Hendley Mankato, MN 4 11-15 0
Day 1: 4 11-15
93. Bailey Bleser Burlington, WI 5 11-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-14
94. Colby Kirwan Wagner, SD 5 11-11 0
Day 1: 5 11-11
95. Drew Crawford Knightstown, IN 5 11-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-04
96. Johnny Bigger II Spring Hill, FL 5 11-03 0
Day 1: 5 11-03
96. Karl Guegold Johnstown, OH 5 11-03 0
Day 1: 5 11-03
98. Larry Peterson II Hammond, WI 4 11-01 0
Day 1: 4 11-01
99. Jody White Shaftsbury, VT 5 11-00 0
Day 1: 5 11-00
100. Jeff Brown Wentworth, SD 5 10-15 0
Day 1: 5 10-15
101. Dave Schneider Jr Indianapolis, IN 5 10-14 0
Day 1: 5 10-14
102. Cade Laufenberg Onalaska, WI 4 10-09 0
Day 1: 4 10-09
103. Colton Lindsey Mount Sterling, OH 5 10-08 0
Day 1: 5 10-08
104. Jesse Stewart Lima, OH 5 10-01 0
Day 1: 5 10-01
105. Ryan Whitacre Chicago, IL 5 10-00 0
Day 1: 5 10-00
106. Bryan Hulsey Troy, MO 5 10-00 0
Day 1: 5 10-00
107. Darrin Lewellen Heath, OH 5 09-14 0
Day 1: 5 09-14
108. Brad Paradis Ogdensburg, NY 4 09-09 0
Day 1: 4 09-09
109. Dustin Taylor Galesburg, IL 4 09-08 0
Day 1: 4 09-08
110. Robert Myers Lacona, IA 4 09-04 0
Day 1: 4 09-04
111. Trevor Sanderson New Lenox, IL 5 08-08 0
Day 1: 5 08-08
112. Ray McGraw Chillicothe, OH 3 08-06 0
Day 1: 3 08-06
113. Donald Roberts Jr Bellville, OH 4 08-02 0
Day 1: 4 08-02
114. Thy Dinh Charleston, WV 3 08-01 0
Day 1: 3 08-01
115. Clayton Grimm Mechanic Falls, ME 3 07-10 0
Day 1: 3 07-10
116. Ernie Dillingham Wisconsin Rapids, WI 3 07-07 0
Day 1: 3 07-07
117. Geno Bielawa Schodack Landing, NY 5 07-06 0
Day 1: 5 07-06
118. Jeremiah Shaver Holmen, WI 2 07-06 0
Day 1: 2 07-06
119. Josh Hubbard Citrus Springs, FL 3 07-03 0
Day 1: 3 07-03
120. Andy Toft Canton, SD 2 07-02 0
Day 1: 2 07-02
121. Quincy Bryant Shakopee, MN 3 06-15 0
Day 1: 3 06-15
122. Mathew Lyons Bar Harbor, ME 2 06-01 0
Day 1: 2 06-01
123. Frank Scalish Mt Gilead, OH 2 05-14 0
Day 1: 2 05-14
124. Gary Michalski Naperville, IL 3 05-13 0
Day 1: 3 05-13
125. Bob Evans Elkhart, IN 3 05-10 0
Day 1: 3 05-10
126. Kevin Scheibelhut Mishawaka, IN 5 05-02 0
Day 1: 5 05-02
127. Mason Phillpotts Swartz Creek, MI 3 05-00 0
Day 1: 3 05-00
128. Jacob Crapyou Wheelersburg, OH 2 04-06 0
Day 1: 2 04-06
129. Travis Wise Rootstown, OH 2 04-05 0
Day 1: 2 04-05
130. Harry Therault Elgin, IL 2 03-11 0
Day 1: 2 03-11
131. Colton Boelkes Roscoe, IL 1 02-09 0
Day 1: 1 02-09
132. Joseph Kinsley Parkersburg, WV 1 02-08 0
Day 1: 1 02-08
133. Allen Williford Paducah, KY 1 01-13 0
Day 1: 1 01-13
134. Kevin Postalwait Ripley, WV 5 00-00 0
Day 1: 5 00-00
135. Brennan Berglund Zimmerman, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Dustin Bliss Brooklyn Park, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Jonathan Carter Portland, ME 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Hunter Colwell Bellefontaine, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Tyler Conde Chepachet, RI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Kollin Crawford Broken Bow, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Lance Crawford Broken Bow, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Evan Delarosa Kalamazoo, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Mark Desjardin Vassalboro, ME 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. John Engler Vinton, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Chris Episcopo Canonsburg, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Ethan Fields Carlyle, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Joe Grafeman Camdenton, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Patrick Henry Westerville, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Jon Jezierski Clinton Twsp, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Casey Knaup Fort Atkinson, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Ryan Koehn/Lofts Ada, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Nick Koehne Manteno, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Randy Kukral Aurora, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Buck Mallory Lawton, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Harmon Marien Eagle River, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Tylor Marquis Gray, ME 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Tricia Mcgraw Chillicothe, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Brian Post Janesville, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Nic Rand Paw Paw, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Clay Reitz Morton, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Craig Saylor Oak Hill, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Dan Stowell Plainwell, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Kenneth Swint Bargersville, IN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Zach Wiggers Ravenna, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Neal Wisinski Stevens Point, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
135. Justin Yenter Stevens Point, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
——————————
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 103 606 1793-01
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103 606 1793-01
