BENTON, Ky. (April 8, 2026) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today that Kubota Corporation has been named title sponsor of Heavy Hitters, the Bass Pro Tour’s premier all-star event that celebrates big-bass performance.
Hosted by the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau, the 2026 Kubota Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops will take place May 16-21 on Florida’s Orange Lake in Ocala, and showcase 32 of the top Bass Pro Tour anglers competing for a top prize of $100,000 to the winner.
The Kubota Heavy Hitters event stands apart from traditional tournaments by also rewarding anglers for landing trophy-class bass, with daily big bass payouts of $10,000 during the Qualifying Round, a $30,000 Knockout Round bonus and a $100,000 prize for the single heaviest bass caught during the Championship Round.
“We’re excited to feature Kubota as the title sponsor of Heavy Hitters,” said Jim Wilburn, President of Sales for MLF. “Kubota has been a valued partner of Major League Fishing for many years, and this expansion of our relationship is a natural fit for one of the most exciting events on the Bass Pro Tour. Kubota is a trusted, hardworking brand that shares so many of the same values as our anglers and fans.”
“We’re proud to support an event that celebrates passion for the outdoors,” said Theresa Duncan, Associate Director for Marketing and Advertising, Kubota Tractor Corporation. “Kubota customers take pride in their land and rely on our durable, reliable equipment to get the job done, and Heavy Hitters unites a community that shares that same commitment to hard work and performance.”
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live each day of competition on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble. The event will also be filmed for television and premiere on Discovery, Saturday, July 4, with new episodes airing weekly through Aug. 15. The event will also be featured in a one-hour special that will debut on CBS in December.
Orange Lake has emerged as one of the nation’s top big-bass fisheries in recent years, regularly producing double-digit largemouth and providing the perfect stage for the sport’s most exciting big-fish showdown.