LA CROSSE, Wis. —  As the saying goes, close only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades.

Exact ties, however, count in a lot of places, including the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Mississippi River presented by Lowrance.

Ties, of course, are meant to be broken, and so it was on Sunday afternoon when 30-year-old Justin Yenter, who led this tournament from Day 1, was pressed into a sudden-death tie-breaker by Tom Monsoor, the hard-charging 77-year-old local who knows this stretch of the mighty Mississippi as well as anyone.

With both anglers deadlocked with three-day totals of 54 pounds, tournament by-laws directed them back to the water immediately following the Day 3 weigh-in at La Crosse’s Veterans Freedom Park Boat Launch. And by the same tournament rules, the first man to catch a regulation bass would win the tournament.

In this case, it was the veteran Monsoor who made the first strike, and it proved to be the one that earned him a surprise win late Sunday afternoon.

Monsoor motored some 15 minutes from the Veterans Freedom Park before stopping to fish a spot where he’d caught bass earlier in the tournament. The winning catch was a 3 1/2- pounder, and it came on one of the same brown swim jigs Monsoor has made for decades. B.A.S.S. officials rode as witnesses with both Yenter and Monsoor in the fish-off.

Monsoor earned $11,948 for the win and he qualified for the 2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance, scheduled for Nov. 18-21 at Lake Hartwell in South Carolina.

Nifty paydays and tournament victories are not new to the La Crosse native, however. Indeed, Monsoor is among the most celebrated anglers in professional history and is known by many as the “Godfather of the Mississippi River”.

His legend grew again on Sunday, and on the river he’s fished since Harry Truman was president.

“I just got the right bites today,” he said. “I let the bass show me where they are. You have to be open-minded here on this part of the river. It’s cold one week, hot the next. The water’s up. The water’s down. All you can do is go fishing.”

But having the confidence to motor 15 minutes before making a cast in a sudden-death fish-off? That’s a nerve reserve built on decades of know-how.

“I saw him going to the bridge right there near the take-off,” Monsoor said of Yenter’s spot of choice in the fish-off. “I didn’t mind making the longer run. He either was going to beat me fishing there or I was gonna’ make it to my spot and win because I knew I’d catch a fish there. A few boats were there when I arrived, but I asked the guys if I could move up near them, that I just had to catch one fish and then I’d be gone.

“They said ‘Yes’, and a couple of casts later, I had the fish,” he added.

Monsoor’s best bites came from 3 to 4 feet of water on Day 1 and he finished the day in sixth place with 17-13. He moved into slightly deeper water on Saturday and his 15-14 total inched him into third place overall in the boater division.

He saved his best show for last, of course, with a 20-5 limit of five largemouth — the second-heaviest sack of the derby.

“I had a terrible morning, only had one nice one, weighed 3-10,” Monsoor said. “I kept bouncing around and caught a 4-plus and another big 3-pounder. I just kept slowly working the same four or five spots. Before I realized it, the 3-10 I started the day with was the smallest fish in my livewell.”

Yenter, meanwhile, came back to the field on Sunday with a 15-7 limit after catching a tournament-best 20-6 on Day 1 and another 18-3 on Day 2. He knew he had a final-day limit in the mid-15s, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the wily veteran this day.

For Yenter, who lives in Stevens Point, Wis., about two hours from La Crosse, it was a tough way to lose.

“I ran the same things I did on the first two days, and I caught plenty fish,” he said. “But I had a 2-pounder in my livewell that I couldn’t get rid of. And then I lost a 3-pounder at the railroad bridge right before heading in for the weigh-in. I had my chances.”

Yenter headed back to that bridge, located just outside of off-limits water, for the fish-off. He also threw the same lure that proved successful throughout the week — a Castagain Tackle Ringer Craw 3/8-ounce football head jig with a Berkley Lil Trooper trailer.

“I worked that real slow the whole week, pebble by pebble,” he said. “It was a finesse thing. When I heard we were having a fish-off … my instinct was to get fishing as fast as I could with the lure that was hot. It just didn’t happen when I needed it to.”

But the confidence lure did work for Monsoor when he needed it most.

“There are three jigs that work really well here — white, brown and black/blue,” he said. “Brown’s been the best for the past two, three weeks. When I got to my spot in the fish-off, I had six rods on the deck, all of them with my brown swim jig on it.

“Jigs are an art,” he added. “No matter what the conditions, I have a jig for it.”

Rounding out the Top 5 in the boater division are third, Cade Laufenberg, of Onalaska, Wis., 51-11; fourth, Andrew Mlotek, of Plainfield, Ill., 47-13; and fifth, Dan Mohn, of Lansing, Iowa, 45-15.

Jake Minch, of Stevens Point, Wis., didn’t need a tiebreaker to win the nonboater division, though it took every bit of the 21-10 he caught over three days to hold off Matt McVeigh, of Fort Dodge, Iowa. McVeigh finished a very close second with 21-7.

Minch, 26, won $4,135 with the nonboater title. McVeigh earned $2,363 and Bill Olson, of Barrington, Ill., pocketed $1,181 for finishing third here in La Crosse.

Minch flipped shallow brush with a Strike King black/blue tube bait with a Rage Craw trailer (also blue/black) for most of his bigger bass. He also threw an Evergreen Grass Ripper swim jig with a pearl white Skinny Dipper on the back for several keeper bites.

He said his key fish came with only minutes remaining on Day 3, fishing from the back of Yenter’s boat. The 3 1/2-pound smallmouth was caught on the same bridge Yenter couldn’t coax a bit in the sudden-death fish off.

“I’m stoked,” Minch said after the tournament. “I qualified for Nationals out of Lake Champlain two years ago, but I couldn’t make it to tournament. I’ll make this one for sure. After winning today, I want to ride that high. I was shaking on stage. It was just an incredible feeling to win my first Bassmaster event.”

Kyle Seubert, of Chaseburg, Wis., caught a 5-15 on Saturday which earned him Big Bass of the Tournament honors among boaters. Denny Boyles Jr., of Princeton, Ill., caught a 5-pounder Saturday to take the Big Bass lead among nonboaters. Both earned $500 with the award.

A total cash purse of $84,200 was divvied among the Top 40 anglers in both the boater and nonboater divisions of the tournament. A total of 289 anglers started the tournament and the leading 10% in both fields (19 boaters and another 19 non-boaters) also locked down berths at Nationals later this year at Lake Hartwell.

Explore La Crosse hosted this event.

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 Mississippi River presented by Lowrance 5/8-5/10
Mississippi River, LaCrosse  WI.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3

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

1.  Tom Monsoor            La Crosse, WI           15  54-00    0  $11,948.00
Day 1: 5   17-13     Day 2: 5   15-14     Day 3: 5   20-05
2.  Justin Yenter          Stevens Point, WI       15  54-00    0   $5,803.00
Day 1: 5   20-06     Day 2: 5   18-03     Day 3: 5   15-07
3.  Cade Laufenberg        Onalaska, WI            15  51-11    0   $4,096.00
Day 1: 5   18-01     Day 2: 5   16-04     Day 3: 5   17-06
4.  Andrew Mlotek          Plainfield, IL          15  47-13    0   $3,414.00
Day 1: 5   13-14     Day 2: 5   19-01     Day 3: 5   14-14
5.  Dan Mohn               Lansing, IA             15  45-15    0   $2,970.00
Day 1: 5   15-13     Day 2: 5   16-03     Day 3: 5   13-15
6.  Harmon Marien          Eagle River, WI         15  45-08    0   $2,731.00
Day 1: 5   18-08     Day 2: 5   14-06     Day 3: 5   12-10
7.  Nick Owens             Eau Claire, WI          14  45-05    0   $2,560.00
Day 1: 5   14-04     Day 2: 5   17-13     Day 3: 4   13-04
8.  Wyatt Becker           LaCrosse, WI            15  45-00    0   $2,390.00
Day 1: 5   17-07     Day 2: 5   14-07     Day 3: 5   13-02
9.  Mike Raber             Elkhart, IN             15  44-14    0   $1,878.00
Day 1: 5   20-01     Day 2: 5   11-07     Day 3: 5   13-06
10. Nick Koehne            Bradley, IL             15  44-10    0   $1,536.00
Day 1: 5   14-08     Day 2: 5   13-09     Day 3: 5   16-09
11. Nic Rand               Paw Paw, MI             14  43-13    0   $1,365.00
Day 1: 5   15-02     Day 2: 4   14-00     Day 3: 5   14-11
12. Luke Gritter           Otsego, MI              15  43-07    0   $1,195.00
Day 1: 5   17-07     Day 2: 5   15-02     Day 3: 5   10-14
13. Brady Hanna            Bettendorf, IA          15  42-15    0     $939.00
Day 1: 5   14-10     Day 2: 5   16-15     Day 3: 5   11-06
14. Doug Chapin            Tigerton, WI            15  42-06    0     $939.00
Day 1: 5   16-09     Day 2: 5   13-09     Day 3: 5   12-04
15. Mason Bohland          Noblesville, IN         15  42-02    0     $939.00
Day 1: 5   12-07     Day 2: 5   17-10     Day 3: 5   12-01
16. Adam Hamann            Prairie Du Chien, IA    15  40-07    0     $939.00
Day 1: 5   16-12     Day 2: 5   12-12     Day 3: 5   10-15
17. Griffin Fernandes      Fishers, IN             15  40-04    0     $939.00
Day 1: 5   14-08     Day 2: 5   13-14     Day 3: 5   11-14
18. Jeremy Nokken          La Crosse, WI           15  39-15    0     $939.00
Day 1: 5   16-12     Day 2: 5   12-14     Day 3: 5   10-05
19. Mitch Van Ert          Okauchee, WI            12  37-11    0     $939.00
Day 1: 5   16-00     Day 2: 5   16-00     Day 3: 2   05-11
20. Joe Titus              Bemidji, MN             10  28-03    0     $939.00
Day 1: 5   09-15     Day 2: 5   18-04     Day 3: 0   00-00
———————————————————————–
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Kyle Seubert             Chaseburg, WI       05-15          $0.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        89       642      1652-14
2        64       494      1278-09
3        17        91       250-15
———————————-
170      1227      3182-06
2026 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Mississippi River presented by Lowrance 5/8-5/10
Mississippi River, LaCrosse  WI.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 3

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

1.  Jake Minch             Stevens Point, WI        8  21-10    0   $4,135.00
Day 1: 2   05-03     Day 2: 3   07-12     Day 3: 3   08-11
2.  Matt McVeigh           Ft. Dodge, IA            8  21-07    0   $2,363.00
Day 1: 3   08-09     Day 2: 2   04-11     Day 3: 3   08-03
3.  Bill Olson             Barrington, IL           8  21-02    0   $1,181.00
Day 1: 3   06-03     Day 2: 3   09-06     Day 3: 2   05-09
4.  Hector Garcia          Elgin, IL                9  21-01    0   $1,094.00
Day 1: 3   07-10     Day 2: 3   07-00     Day 3: 3   06-07
5.  Tanner Visco           Antioch, IL              8  20-11    0     $809.00
Day 1: 2   07-02     Day 2: 3   07-08     Day 3: 3   06-01
6.  Scott Bullinger        Bismarck, ND             8  19-08    0     $679.00
Day 1: 3   07-06     Day 2: 2   03-10     Day 3: 3   08-08
7.  Philip Olson           Waukesha, WI             7  19-07    0     $607.00
Day 1: 3   08-15     Day 2: 2   05-06     Day 3: 2   05-02
8.  Eric Storms            Winner, SD               8  19-03    0     $567.00
Day 1: 3   07-05     Day 2: 3   07-12     Day 3: 2   04-02
9.  Joe Paulson            Winner, WY               8  18-15    0     $532.00
Day 1: 2   04-07     Day 2: 3   07-07     Day 3: 3   07-01
10. Austin Hubatch         Rosholt, WI              8  18-04    0     $473.00
Day 1: 3   06-09     Day 2: 3   08-01     Day 3: 2   03-10
11. Brian Hensley          Edwardsburg, MI          8  17-15    0     $473.00
Day 1: 3   07-00     Day 2: 2   05-02     Day 3: 3   05-13
12. John Kozel             Leawood, KS              7  17-10    0     $413.00
Day 1: 2   05-11     Day 2: 3   05-14     Day 3: 2   06-01
13. Mike Towe              Braidwood, IL            7  16-02    0     $354.00
Day 1: 3   08-01     Day 2: 3   06-10     Day 3: 1   01-07
14. Drew Pingel            Star Prairie, WI         6  15-07    0     $354.00
Day 1: 3   07-08     Day 2: 3   07-15     Day 3: 0   00-00
15. Jim Thompson           Manchester, IA           7  15-06    0     $295.00
Day 1: 3   05-14     Day 2: 3   07-11     Day 3: 1   01-13
16. Neal Wisinski          Stevens Point, WI        7  14-15    0     $295.00
Day 1: 3   06-03     Day 2: 3   05-05     Day 3: 1   03-07
17. Aaron Konopacki        New Albin, IA            6  14-12    0     $295.00
Day 1: 2   03-12     Day 2: 3   08-12     Day 3: 1   02-04
18. Jackson Miller         Prior Lake, MN           6  12-12    0     $295.00
Day 1: 3   06-03     Day 2: 2   04-09     Day 3: 1   02-00
19. Bob Zagrzebski         Stevens Point, WI        7  12-09    0     $295.00
Day 1: 3   05-14     Day 2: 3   05-00     Day 3: 1   01-11
20. Dan Mcadams            Reedsburg, WI            5  10-15    0     $295.00
Day 1: 2   04-13     Day 2: 3   06-02     Day 3: 0   00-00
———————————————————————–
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Denny Boyles Jr          Princeton, IL       05-00          $0.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        29       157       347-11
2        29       143       331-01
3         7        37        87-14
———————————-
65       337       766-10