PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Over the past couple of years, Hayden Marbut has become one of the most successful anglers on the Tennessee River system, winning major college and semi-pro level events on Pickwick, Wheeler and Guntersville.

Yet, winning the 2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation at Lake Champlain presented by Lowrance might be his most rewarding accomplishment to date.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to win some pretty big events in my career, but this one felt different,” Marbut said. “It is really rewarding to come up here, 1,000 miles from home, and be able to compete and win. It is pretty incredible.”

Marbut caught a three-day total weighing 66 pounds, 15 ounces, earning his first B.A.S.S. victory since the 2023 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops, a $10,779 first-place prize and a trip to Lake Hartwell for the 2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance.

The Grant, Ala., angler opened the tournament in 20th with 20-12 but vaulted himself into the Top 10 on Day 2 with a limit weighing 22-0. He saved the best for last, catching 24-3 — a catch anchored by a 5-8 smallmouth — on the final day to unseat Day 2 leader Dan Tavilla.

The only goal for Marbut this week was to learn and have fun in upstate New York. He slept until 9 a.m. one day of practice and was in no rush to get anywhere, even when the waters were calm. During the first two warm-up days, he struggled to get quality bites in the Inland Sea, but on the final day of practice he moved to the main lake and got two bites that turned his week around.

“I went to a less traditional area, and I caught a couple 4-pounders. It was better than anything else I had seen, so I ran with it. I didn’t even catch anything off that place in the tournament either. I just practiced and it started clicking.

“When I figure it out as I go along, those are the tournaments I seem to do best in.”

During the tournament, Marbut searched for tight breaks around the mouths of spawning bays the smallmouth had been utilizing a month ago. There, he used his forward-facing sonar to target big smallies hunting for alewives in 10 to 20 feet of water.

“They were just places the fish could pull up and feed and then go right back to 60 feet of water,” Marbut explained. “They were a lit bit shallower than most people were looking. I really learned a lot throughout the week.”

He spent a lot of time searching for productive areas during the tournament and located two stretches he could rely on. Marbut switched between a mid-sized urchin bait rigged on a treble hook and a 3/16-ounce jighead minnow. He felt the mid-size urchin provided more drawing power than the smaller versions.

On Day 1, Marbut found what turned out to be the winning area and landed the majority of his 20 pounds there before finding a new area on Day 2 that produced over 22 pounds. He felt his Day 2 area was the better of the two, but it was in the path of strong south winds pushing up the lake on the final day.

So, on Championship Sunday, he returned to his best spot from Day 1 and caught 22 pounds by 7:30 a.m. He opened that flurry with a 4 1/2-pounder and then the 5-8, which looked like a blimp.

“It happened so fast. It really got the momentum going,” Marbut said. “I wasn’t throwing at everything, and the 5-8 wasn’t swimming very fast. I thought it was a drum, but the second it turned up I knew it was a big one. But I had no idea it was that big. It was the most filled out bass I caught all week.”

Now, Marbut will set his sights on Anderson, S.C., where he and now Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro Tucker Smith won an Association for Collegiate Anglers National Championship.

“I really just jumped in this tournament for fun. I wasn’t even really thinking about the Nation Championship, which is the cherry on top now,” he said. “I love Hartwell. I really do love that place and being able to go there for the Nation Championship is so much sweeter.”

In almost identical fashion to the 2024 Nation event, Tavilla was thwarted on the final day at Lake Champlain after leading the second day. The New Hampshire native opened the tournament in fourth with 22-4 before jumping to first with a limit weighing 21-13. He still caught 21-1 on the final day, but it wasn’t enough to claim the first-place trophy.

“This is a different feeling than last time,” the now three-time Nation Championship qualifier said. “I feel more crushed this time. Last time, I was just impressed with myself that I did so well. This time I was really going for it.”

Tavilla spent his tournament rotating between several different areas in the Inland Sea in search of pelagic smallmouth. The majority of his bass were feeding on perch in 30 to 60 feet of water. A Deps Sakamata Shad was his go-to presentation and he rigged on either a 3/16-ounce or 3/8-ounce jighead depending on how hard the wind was blowing.

The strong winds made life challenging for Tavilla on the final day. Starting in 3-foot waves, he lost several bass early on and found it difficult to make accurate presentations. At 8:30, he had no bass in the livewell, but a move up the lake produced a limit that weighed around 15 pounds. Knowing it wouldn’t be enough to win, he moved back to his best area from Day 2 and culled out all but one bass.

“I ran back to that area with the hopes they would bite in the afternoon, and luckily they did,” Tavilla said. “I made two big culls with 10 minutes left to fish that got me to what I had.”

After leading Day 1 with 22-12, Tanner Hadden suffered mechanical issues on Saturday during his 50-mile run south. Luckily, he was able to switch boats with his uncle, but the shortened day yielded only 19-12. After looking at the wind forecast, Hadden decided to stay closer to takeoff on the final day and caught 22-5, most of which came within the first two hours of the day.

The first two days, the Appling, Ga., angler targeted largemouth in large bays with topped out vegetation, switching between a frog and a Greenfish Tackle Bad Little Dude jig. He also used that jig around bridge pilings and culverts.

When he switched to smallmouth fishing at the end of Day 1 and then all of the final day, he targeted schools of smallmouth in 15 feet of water or less using a 13 mm Hideup Coike as well as a jig and a drop shot rigged with the Hideup Kyu Coike.

Greenwood, Del.’s Mark Hogan caught the Big Bass of the Tournament, earning the $500 bonus.

With three-bass limits weighing 9-2, 10-6 and 12-1, Delaware’s JT Fitzgerald claimed the nonboater title and $3,606 with a three-day total weighing 31-9. Rhode Island’s Brandon Regnault finished second, also with 31-9, but lost the biggest bag tiebreaker to Fitzgerald. Regnault caught limits weighing 10-11, 9-5 and 11-9.

New York’s Matt Belmore was third with 30-14 followed by Wayne England in fourth with 30-12 and Evan Miller in fifth with 28-3.

The Top 17 boaters and nonboaters punched their ticket to the 2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance scheduled for Nov. 18-21 at Lake Hartwell.

Discover Plattsburgh and the Adirondack Coast hosted the tournament.

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

 

2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Champlain presented by Lowrance 7/31-8/2
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh  NY.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3

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

1.  Hayden Marbut          Grant, AL               15  66-15    0  $10,779.00
Day 1: 5   20-12     Day 2: 5   22-00     Day 3: 5   24-03
2.  Dan Tavilla            Newmarket, NH           15  65-02    0   $5,236.00
Day 1: 5   22-04     Day 2: 5   21-13     Day 3: 5   21-01
3.  Tanner Hadden          Appling, GA             15  64-13    0   $3,696.00
Day 1: 5   22-12     Day 2: 5   19-12     Day 3: 5   22-05
4.  Dylan Quilatan         Orlando, FL             15  64-10    0   $3,080.00
Day 1: 5   21-07     Day 2: 5   20-02     Day 3: 5   23-01
5.  Jack Story             Atlanta, GA             15  64-09    0   $2,679.00
Day 1: 5   21-14     Day 2: 5   21-09     Day 3: 5   21-02
6.  Lane Parker            Waleska, GA             15  63-10    0   $2,464.00
Day 1: 5   22-11     Day 2: 5   19-08     Day 3: 5   21-07
7.  Cody Abbott            Woodruff, SC            15  63-09    0   $2,310.00
Day 1: 5   22-07     Day 2: 5   20-14     Day 3: 5   20-04
8.  Matt Mosby             Dryden, MI              15  63-04    0   $2,156.00
Day 1: 5   21-15     Day 2: 5   21-12     Day 3: 5   19-09
9.  Trent Palmer           Cumming, GA             15  62-01    0   $1,694.00
Day 1: 5   21-15     Day 2: 5   20-14     Day 3: 5   19-04
10. Alex Korol             Fairport, NY            15  61-15    0   $1,386.00
Day 1: 5   21-08     Day 2: 5   19-13     Day 3: 5   20-10
11. Jacob Swanson          Framingham, MA          15  61-09    0   $1,232.00
Day 1: 5   21-07     Day 2: 5   21-07     Day 3: 5   18-11
12. Nathan Reynolds        Florence, AL            15  61-04    0   $1,078.00
Day 1: 5   20-08     Day 2: 5   20-14     Day 3: 5   19-14
13. Hayden Seabolt         Dawsonville, GA         15  61-03    0     $847.00
Day 1: 5   21-01     Day 2: 5   21-08     Day 3: 5   18-10
14. Brody Robison          Dawson, AL              15  61-03    0     $847.00
Day 1: 5   20-04     Day 2: 5   20-05     Day 3: 5   20-10
15. Bo Thomas              Edwardsburg, MI         15  60-06    0     $847.00
Day 1: 5   21-12     Day 2: 5   20-12     Day 3: 5   17-14
16. Brooks Anderson        Marietta, GA            15  60-05    0     $847.00
Day 1: 5   20-00     Day 2: 5   20-12     Day 3: 5   19-09
17. Dalton Head            Moody, AL               15  59-02    0     $847.00
Day 1: 5   21-07     Day 2: 5   20-15     Day 3: 5   16-12
18. Cooper Gilroy          Middlebury, CT          15  58-03    0     $847.00
Day 1: 5   20-06     Day 2: 5   19-15     Day 3: 5   17-14
19. Zach Wolfe             Durham, NC              15  57-14    0     $847.00
Day 1: 5   20-04     Day 2: 5   21-07     Day 3: 5   16-03
20. Zack Morris            Durham, ME              15  56-14    0     $847.00
Day 1: 5   21-09     Day 2: 5   19-06     Day 3: 5   15-15
———————————————————————–
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Mark Hogan               Milford, DE         06-15          $0.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1       130       714      2503-13
2       104       596      1989-00
3        20       100       394-14
———————————-
254      1410      4887-11
2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Champlain presented by Lowrance 7/31-8/2
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh  NY.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 3

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

1.  JT Fitzgerald          Lincoln, DE              9  31-09    0   $3,606.00
Day 1: 3   09-02     Day 2: 3   10-06     Day 3: 3   12-01
2.  Brandon Regnault       Providence, RI           9  31-09    0   $2,833.00
Day 1: 3   10-11     Day 2: 3   09-05     Day 3: 3   11-09
3.  Matt Belmore           Indian Lake, NY          9  30-14    0   $1,030.00
Day 1: 3   10-01     Day 2: 3   12-00     Day 3: 3   08-13
4.  Wayne England          Danbury, NH              9  30-12    0     $954.00
Day 1: 3   09-02     Day 2: 3   12-03     Day 3: 3   09-07
5.  Evan Miller            Cumberland Center, ME    9  28-03    0     $706.00
Day 1: 3   09-14     Day 2: 3   10-04     Day 3: 3   08-01
6.  Emil Rostello Jr       Wayne, NJ                9  28-02    0     $592.00
Day 1: 3   10-11     Day 2: 3   09-11     Day 3: 3   07-12
7.  Coleman Clark          Appling, GA              9  28-01    0     $530.00
Day 1: 3   09-11     Day 2: 3   07-07     Day 3: 3   10-15
8.  Ray Severns IV         Montoursville, PA        9  26-09    0     $495.00
Day 1: 3   11-14     Day 2: 3   06-06     Day 3: 3   08-05
9.  Lyn England            Danbury, NH              8  26-02    0     $464.00
Day 1: 3   10-10     Day 2: 3   11-01     Day 3: 2   04-07
10. Rob Ross               Hopedale, MA             9  25-13    0     $412.00
Day 1: 3   08-12     Day 2: 3   08-12     Day 3: 3   08-05
11. Steven Lavallee Jr     Cumberland, RI           9  25-12    0     $412.00
Day 1: 3   09-05     Day 2: 3   11-10     Day 3: 3   04-13
12. Jaydon Morton          Lincoln, DE              7  25-00    0     $361.00
Day 1: 2   05-00     Day 2: 3   11-15     Day 3: 2   08-01
13. Sam Chhoeun            Berkley, MA              8  24-07    0     $309.00
Day 1: 3   11-06     Day 2: 3   08-04     Day 3: 2   04-13
14. Lewis Mendall          Winthrop, MA             8  24-03    0     $309.00
Day 1: 3   12-01     Day 2: 3   08-11     Day 3: 2   03-07
15. Bill Roberts           Williamsburg, VA         8  24-01    0     $258.00
Day 1: 3   10-07     Day 2: 3   08-15     Day 3: 2   04-11
16. Gunner Couch           Harlem, GA               7  23-04    0     $258.00
Day 1: 3   10-14     Day 2: 3   10-00     Day 3: 1   02-06
17. Michael Magnani        Framingham, MA           7  21-00    0     $258.00
Day 1: 3   08-10     Day 2: 3   10-01     Day 3: 1   02-05
18. Joe Matt               Syracuse, NY             6  20-13    0     $258.00
Day 1: 3   10-09     Day 2: 3   10-04     Day 3: 0   00-00
19. Garrett Sicely         Montpelier, VT           6  20-06    0     $258.00
Day 1: 3   11-00     Day 2: 3   09-06     Day 3: 0   00-00
20. Pj Russell Jr          Ware, MA                 6  18-11    0     $258.00
Day 1: 3   11-04     Day 2: 3   07-07     Day 3: 0   00-00
———————————————————————–
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Jack Campbell            Sodus, NY           05-05          $0.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        48       191       562-14
2        41       173       498-00
3        10        42       120-03
———————————-
99       406      1181-01