Wisconsin’s Brian Post takes advantage of hot bite to lead Day 1 of B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier
April 23, 2025
RICHMOND, Va. — Normally a good practice doesn’t result in a good tournament for Brian Post, but that was not the case on Day 1 at the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at James River presented by Lowrance.
The Janesville, Wis., pro landed a limit weighing 17 pounds, 14 ounces to take the Day 1 lead in eastern Virginia, two ounces better than second place Erik Brztowski and 11 ounces better than third place Craig Owens.
Anglers enjoyed sunny and warm conditions on the first day of the three-day tournament, which had the bass biting, although not the size some expected from the normally prolific tidal fishery. Over 100 limits hit the scales on the boater side on Wednesday for a total of 1,306-2, but no angler approached the 20-pound threshold.
As a Wisconsin native, Post knows just how good the Upper Mississippi River can fish in October. So, his goal this week is to punch his ticket to the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance scheduled for Oct. 22-24 on Pools, 7, 8 and 9.
“I’m from Wisconsin and I am trying to get to La Crosse at the end of the year,” he said. “My travel partner for the Opens made it through the Eufaula Oklahoma regional, and I’m just trying to get there with him. Top 13 is the goal.”
Post has fished the James River twice as a St. Croix Bassmaster Opens pro, finishing 8th in the April 2023 event. Instead of chasing the tide, he treated it as a normal river in that event and those same concepts played today.
“I did the same thing this year. I actually had a really good practice,” he said. “I had a plan today. I ran to a spot today and never started the motor again. Except for one, I think I burned that place to the ground.
With bass in all three stages of the spawn, Post stayed close to takeoff and focused on the bass locked on the bed. While he couldn’t get his first couple of bedding fish to bite at dead low tide, the bite turned on as the tide flowed back into the river and Post landed a limit within an hour span.
“I only lost one good one today and a half hour later I caught it,” he said.
He landed them all with two baits.
“All of my bass came off bed today,” Post said. “But you do have all three stages (happening). I have seen a few prespawners and some fry in different areas. (In my area), I saw some fresh bucks, so I don’t know if another wave is moving up.”
Post only burned five gallons of gas on Day 1 but intends on making a longer run on Day 2 to target more prespawn and postspawn largemouth.
“These are, run here and make 10 casts, run there and make 10 casts,” Post said. “They are more one- and two-bite places, but they are the right kind. When it clicked in practice, it was pretty easy. Some of it is hidey hole stuff, some of it is stuff I found on the trolling motor and it looked right.”
He does have one female located that would not lock on the bed he intends to catch tomorrow.
“The male is locked on, and she is gigantic,” Post said. “I don’t know which one of them pulled my plastic off the first time. She is fresh, but not locked on. She would come up and hang out with him for a while and then back off for almost 20 minutes. I got her marked and I’m going to make a couple stops on her tomorrow.”
Brztowski, a 22-year-old from Lemont, Ill., fished the James River as a co-angler in that last Open as well and is now trying to punch his ticket to the Nation Championship on the famed fishery. He landed a limit weighing 17-12 to land in second.
“I was changing with the bass today,” he said. “My third fish was a 5-pounder. I just made good decisions. It was a good time.”
Using four different baits, Brztowski is fishing all three stages of the spawn. With an incoming tide, Brztowski made a stop at an area he found in practice and landed a quick limit before moving to his primary areas.
While he saw bigger fish in practice, he learned a lot today as he caught each one. He anticipates Day 2 will be a little tougher but expects there will still be good ones around his areas.
“I caught plenty of fish today,” he said. “I know there are still plenty of fish out there. I just have to play the tide right and fish some new areas.”
New Jersey boater Mike Reilly landed the Big Bass of the Day, a 5-14 largemouth.
Connecticut’s Gary Belanger and Jim D’Ambra from Massachusetts are tied for the nonboater lead, each with a three-bass limit weighing 13-13. Belanger anchored his bag with a 7-9 largemouth, the Big Bass of the Day. Rhode Island’s Guiseppe Andreoli is third with 10-10.
The full field of 125 anglers will takeoff from Osborne Park tomorrow beginning at 6:30 a.m. ET and return for weigh-in at 2:30 p.m. The Top 20 boaters and nonboaters after Day 2 will advance to Friday’s final round and the Top 13 from each division at the conclusion of the tournament will advance to B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
Richmond Region Tourism and Visit Henrico County are hosting the event.
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Platinum Sponsors: Progressive, Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Nation Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew’s, Lowrance, Triton 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, 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.
-30-
Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.
2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at James River presented by Lowrance 4/23-4/25
James River, Richmond VA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Brian Post Janesville, WI 5 17-14 0
Day 1: 5 17-14
2. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 5 17-12 0
Day 1: 5 17-12
3. Craig Owens Roanoke Rapids, NC 5 17-03 0
Day 1: 5 17-03
4. Harmon Marien Eagle River, WI 5 16-07 0
Day 1: 5 16-07
4. Will Smith Moncks Corner, SC 5 16-07 0
Day 1: 5 16-07
6. Ryan Lachniet Gum Spring, VA 5 16-06 0
Day 1: 5 16-06
7. John Smith Elkview, WV 5 16-00 0
Day 1: 5 16-00
8. Mike Reilly Hammonton, NJ 5 15-15 0
Day 1: 5 15-15
9. John Conway Jr Henrico, VA 5 15-12 0
Day 1: 5 15-12
9. Connor Jacob Peoria, IL 5 15-12 0
Day 1: 5 15-12
11. Tj Milton Chester, VA 5 15-11 0
Day 1: 5 15-11
12. John Lewis Centreville, VA 5 15-10 0
Day 1: 5 15-10
13. Amos Dixon Camden Wyoming, DE 5 15-08 0
Day 1: 5 15-08
14. Cody Bertrand Dyer, IN 5 15-06 0
Day 1: 5 15-06
15. Brody Luckey Lynchburg, VA 5 15-04 0
Day 1: 5 15-04
16. Brian LaClair Denton, MD 5 15-03 0
Day 1: 5 15-03
17. Bryant Copley Altavista, VA 5 14-11 0
Day 1: 5 14-11
18. Ricky Fulk Shenandoah, VA 5 14-07 0
Day 1: 5 14-07
19. Ed Powell Sandyville, WV 5 14-06 0
Day 1: 5 14-06
20. Kyle Goltz Cornell, WI 5 14-05 0
Day 1: 5 14-05
21. Richard Owen Bracey, VA 5 14-02 0
Day 1: 5 14-02
22. Brian O’Connell Ridge Spring, SC 5 13-13 0
Day 1: 5 13-13
23. Joshua Smith Coventry, RI 5 13-10 0
Day 1: 5 13-10
24. Austin Burton North Prince George, VA 5 13-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-09
24. Chris Jones Conway, SC 5 13-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-09
26. Randy Baran Millstone Township, NJ 5 13-06 0
Day 1: 5 13-06
26. Louis Monetti Brielle, NJ 5 13-06 0
Day 1: 5 13-06
28. Raymond Jones III Mocksville, NC 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-04
28. Nick Poe Goodview, VA 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-04
28. Whitney Stephens Waverly, OH 5 13-04 0
Day 1: 5 13-04
31. Mike Morris Dover, DE 5 13-03 0
Day 1: 5 13-03
32. Brian Trieschman Ellicott City, MD 5 13-01 0
Day 1: 5 13-01
33. Timothy Garrison Jefferson, SC 5 12-15 0
Day 1: 5 12-15
34. Paul Haggenmiller New Durham, NH 5 12-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-13
35. Mike Caul South Prince George, VA 5 12-11 0
Day 1: 5 12-11
36. Joe Grafeman Camdenton, MO 5 12-10 0
Day 1: 5 12-10
36. Samuel Pollock Hampton, VA 5 12-10 0
Day 1: 5 12-10
38. Richard Knoll Pittsburgh, PA 5 12-09 0
Day 1: 5 12-09
38. Craig Morris Frankford, DE 5 12-09 0
Day 1: 5 12-09
38. RJ Ricci Jr Cranston, RI 5 12-09 0
Day 1: 5 12-09
41. Tim Byers Gasburg, VA 5 12-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-05
42. Kevin Postalwait Ripley, WV 5 12-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-04
42. Jeremy Radford Huntly, VA 5 12-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-04
42. Mike Shears Powhatan, VA 5 12-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-04
45. John Engler Vinton, IA 5 12-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-04
46. Matt Szczoczarz Cumberland, RI 5 12-03 0
Day 1: 5 12-03
47. Lyle Atkins Culloden, WV 5 12-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00
47. Gary Pope Jr Georgetown, SC 5 12-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00
47. Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT 5 12-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00
50. Tyler Conde Chepachet, RI 5 11-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-15
51. Brian Brown Sandusky, OH 5 11-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-14
51. Tyler Thompson Easley, SC 5 11-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-14
53. Fred Serge Lambertville, NJ 5 11-14 0
Day 1: 5 11-14
54. Mark Hogan Milford, DE 5 11-13 0
Day 1: 5 11-13
54. Ryan West Hartsville, SC 5 11-13 0
Day 1: 5 11-13
56. Fabian Rodriguez Ocean City, MD 5 11-12 0
Day 1: 5 11-12
57. Michael Baldwin Jr South Chesterfield, VA 5 11-10 0
Day 1: 5 11-10
57. Gregory Dick Chesapeake, VA 5 11-10 0
Day 1: 5 11-10
59. Austin Moore Washburn, IL 5 11-09 0
Day 1: 5 11-09
60. Thomas Hughes Midlothian, NY 5 11-08 0
Day 1: 5 11-08
61. Bryan Finch Belton, TX 5 11-07 0
Day 1: 5 11-07
61. Jeff Meade Spotsylvania, VA 5 11-07 0
Day 1: 5 11-07
63. John Serge Philadelphia, PA 5 11-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-04
64. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 5 11-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-04
65. Greg Scythes Marysville, OH 5 11-03 0
Day 1: 5 11-03
66. Jeffrey Davis Wendell, NC 5 11-00 0
Day 1: 5 11-00
66. Joe McClosky Swanton, MD 5 11-00 0
Day 1: 5 11-00
68. Bryan Hulsey Troy, MO 5 10-13 0
Day 1: 5 10-13
68. Mark Moran Weston, WV 5 10-13 0
Day 1: 5 10-13
70. KC Choosakul Cameron, NC 5 10-12 0
Day 1: 5 10-12
70. John Christopher II Clarksburg, WV 5 10-12 0
Day 1: 5 10-12
72. Jacob Marcantonio Moosup, CT 5 10-11 0
Day 1: 5 10-11
72. Christopher Napier Virginia Beach, VA 5 10-11 0
Day 1: 5 10-11
74. Michael Shay Cheshire, CT 5 10-10 0
Day 1: 5 10-10
75. Mark Burgess Norton, MA 5 10-09 0
Day 1: 5 10-09
76. Andrew Sams Easton, MD 5 10-08 0
Day 1: 5 10-08
77. Cavin Young Sr Prince George, VA 5 10-06 0
Day 1: 5 10-06
78. Derek Jones Chicago, IL 5 10-04 0
Day 1: 5 10-04
79. Jeff Salmon Mechanicsville, VA 5 10-00 0
Day 1: 5 10-00
80. Brian Gunn Savannah, GA 5 09-12 0
Day 1: 5 09-12
81. Chris Johnson Farmington, AR 5 09-11 0
Day 1: 5 09-11
82. Matthew McCarthy East Liberty, OH 5 09-06 0
Day 1: 5 09-06
83. John Erickson Sicklerville, NJ 5 09-03 0
Day 1: 5 09-03
84. Sidney Ryan Bracey, VA 5 09-02 0
Day 1: 5 09-02
85. Colton Sowers Bentleyville, PA 5 09-01 0
Day 1: 5 09-01
85. Mike Toney Blacksburg, VA 5 09-01 0
Day 1: 5 09-01
87. Ben Dalton Bracey, VA 5 08-12 0
Day 1: 5 08-12
87. Craig Townsend Westampton, NJ 5 08-12 0
Day 1: 5 08-12
89. Josh Ashley Lovingston, VA 5 08-11 0
Day 1: 5 08-11
90. Ray Tweedy Appomattox, VA 5 08-10 0
Day 1: 5 08-10
91. Tim Davis Mascot, TN 5 08-07 0
Day 1: 5 08-07
91. Tanner Visco Antioch, IL 5 08-07 0
Day 1: 5 08-07
93. Paul Smith Jr Spotsylvania, VA 4 08-06 0
Day 1: 4 08-06
94. Greg Del Russo Hopatcong, NJ 5 08-03 0
Day 1: 5 08-03
95. Kevin Barnosky Watertown, CT 5 08-00 0
Day 1: 5 08-00
95. Dana Brown Buckhannon, WV 5 08-00 0
Day 1: 5 08-00
97. Randy Elliott Severn, MD 5 07-14 0
Day 1: 5 07-14
98. Jason Carpenter Castle Pines, CO 5 07-09 0
Day 1: 5 07-09
98. Trevor Sharrett Boiling Springs, SC 5 07-09 0
Day 1: 5 07-09
100. Randy Gillespie Sanford, NC 5 07-08 0
Day 1: 5 07-08
101. Neal Wisinski Stevens Point, WI 5 07-05 0
Day 1: 5 07-05
102. Don Gregg Jr Powhatan, VA 5 07-02 0
Day 1: 5 07-02
103. Tim Mitchem Smithfield, VA 5 06-15 0
Day 1: 5 06-15
104. Jared Leicht Millville, NJ 5 06-12 0
Day 1: 5 06-12
105. Nick Mandes North Stonington, CT 5 06-12 0
Day 1: 5 06-12
106. Tony Keller Charleston, WV 5 06-10 0
Day 1: 5 06-10
107. Paul Tabisz Clarkston, MI 3 06-06 0
Day 1: 3 06-06
108. Troy Coney Owego, NY 4 06-03 0
Day 1: 4 06-03
109. Alex Legg Milford, DE 3 05-07 0
Day 1: 3 05-07
110. Tom Hill Nicholasville, KY 3 05-05 0
Day 1: 3 05-05
110. Mark Ochkie California, PA 3 05-05 0
Day 1: 3 05-05
112. Richard Hartman Bracey, VA 3 04-15 0
Day 1: 3 04-15
113. Greg Miller Gaffney, SC 3 04-10 0
Day 1: 3 04-10
114. Kevin Collins Morristown, NJ 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-06
114. Andrew Hunter Williamston, SC 2 03-06 0
Day 1: 2 03-06
116. Jim Sampson Emporia, VA 3 03-01 0
Day 1: 3 03-01
117. Eric Whaley II Pittsgrove, NJ 2 02-15 0
Day 1: 2 02-15
118. Bob Akin Carver, MA 2 02-14 0
Day 1: 2 02-14
119. Jon Jezierski Clinton Twsp, MI 2 02-11 0
Day 1: 2 02-11
120. Jon Mitchell Wendell, NC 2 02-10 0
Day 1: 2 02-10
121. Jim Fields Camden, DE 1 02-10 0
Day 1: 1 02-10
122. Chris Donavant Yorktown, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
122. Ethan Stant Dover, DE 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
122. Chris Washinger Chambersburg, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
122. Larry Witt Evington, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
——————————
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 105 567 1306-02
——————————
105 567 1306-02
