Indiana’s Bill Lowen has taken the lead on Day 1 of the Mountain Dew Bassmaster Elite at Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway with a total of 17 pounds, 14 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
March 26, 2026
Lowen plays familiar game for Bassmaster Elite lead at Tenn-Tom
COLUMBUS, Miss. — Bill Lowen may not have the full picture in sight, but the Brookville, Ind., pro found enough clarity to sack up a 5-bass limit of 17 pounds, 14 ounces and lead Day 1 of the Mountain Dew Bassmaster Elite at Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.
Holding a 2-ounce lead over Randy Howell, Lowen said this week’s fishery, aka the “Tenn-Tom,” fits squarely in his wheelhouse.
“I don’t know if I figured it out; I’ve never been here before,” Lowen said. “The first day of practice, I just (randomly selected an area) and just fished where I know the fish are going to.
“My first three spots I fished in practice, I had a lot of bites. I went to two of those today and caught what I caught. I didn’t feel like I needed to go to the other stuff because I didn’t want to burn any just keeper bass.”
Lowen locked up from the local pool and stuck with two main areas where he was able to fish in solitude. He didn’t catch a significant number of fish, but he managed to find glimmers of quality.
“It was a fun day; I love fishing rivers, I love fishing shallow and I’m fishing the way I love to fish,” Lowen said. “I was fortunate to get three of the right bites. It’s not easy to get those big bites.
“The biggest fish I caught in practice was probably not even 3 pounds. So to get three of those bites today, I was pretty surprised.”
Essential to that goal was Lowen’s comfort level. Knowing he’d have to break down a new and sprawling fishery, Lowen put himself in familiar territory.
“When you have three days of practice on somewhere you’ve never been, I try to make a body of water fit me,” Lowen said. “This pool (where the event is located) and the next one down are massive. They have a tremendous amount of backwaters and creeks. The next pool up, to me, didn’t have a lot, so it was more manageable.
“I felt like I needed to find key little stretches in that pool that had bites on them. That’s the big thing on this river — the fish aren’t everywhere. They’re in key little areas, 100-yard stretches, and if you can find enough of those, I think you’ll be in good shape.”
The best areas, Lowen said, were hard bottom patches that served the fish’s current spawning needs.
Lowen held his cards low on bait selection, but he said he caught all of his fish on a single reaction lure. Presentation was also classified, but Lowen said a particular detail was the linchpin to his success.
“I caught fish all throughout the day until it was time to come back,” he said. “When I locked back through, I culled one time that helped.”
As for Day 2, Lowen said he’ll return to where he caught his first-round fish. He’s optimistic that he left plenty of untouched potential, along with a few missed opportunities that might be in a more committal mood.
“I missed a lot of fish early this morning in the low light; no giants, but good, solid 2 1/2- to 2 3/4-pound fish,” Lowen said. “I probably had an opportunity at a dozen more that just didn’t get the bait.
“The biggest fish I caught — almost 6 pounds — she missed my bait. I circled back about 10 minutes later and she got it.”
Hailing from Guntersville, Ala., Howell is in second place with 17-12. Locking to the next pool down from Columbus, Howell’s productivity exceeded his expectations.
“It was a good day; I didn’t have a giant, but I was very blessed to catch some good quality fish,” Howell said. “I had a 4 1/2- and one almost 4, and it’s usually hard to catch much more than that on this place, with all the people fishing around you.
“Throughout the day, I caught three more that were 3- to 3 1/4 pounds in about an hour, so it was really a good little flurry I had. I knew the area I was in had the potential for a bag like that and everything worked out perfectly to catch it. I just timed it right and it all just worked out.”
Howell was targeting bed fish, but his area’s lower water clarity prevented sight fishing. Targeting hard bottom and grass patches, he fished a mix of Yamamoto Flappin’ Hog, Yamamoto Senko, a Hawg Caller Spinnerbait and a Livingston topwater.
“It seems like anywhere you’d get one or two fish, you’d get a lot of fish in the one spot,” Howell said. “All my fish came out of two small areas.”
Mike Iaconelli of Pittsgrove, N.J., is in third place with 17-11. Noting that a key environmental factor significantly impacted his area, Iaconelli attributes his opening-round success to adjustment.
“Some guys are going through one, two, even three locks, but I wrote that off; I said, ‘I want to stay close,’” Iaconelli said. “The water level dropped (several) inches from when I practice this area. When I got in there, I went a couple hours and didn’t have a keeper.”
Iaconelli surmised that with several anglers locking elsewhere, the water drawn through the locks to transport boats to the next pool decreased the local water level. Once he determined that this depth change was the likely culprit, Iaconelli made a key move and started catching fish.
“I made an adjustment to an area that was close to my starting area, but it was the first deep water access near this area and they all went there,” Iaconelli said. “It worked in my favor because they were scattered before, when the water was up 4-6 inches, but now, they were more concentrated.
“My three best ones that I caught today were literally back-to-back-to-back casts. There were a lot of boats fishing around me and I don’t think some of those guys pick up on that little adjustment. It was just a good game-time decision.”
Iaconelli caught his fish with flipping and winding presentations. The latter produced his better bites.
Justin Atkins of Florence, Ala., holds the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead with a 6-4.
Brock Mosley of Collinsville, Miss., leads the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year points with 255. Cody Meyer of Eagle, Idaho, is in second with 251, followed by Drew Cook or Cairo, Ga. with 245, Dakota Ebare or Brookeland, Texas with 239 and John Garrett of Union City, Tenn. with 235.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. CT at Columbus Marina. The weigh-in will be held at the marina at 3 p.m.
Bassmaster LIVE will be available all four days of the event, starting on Bassmaster.com and Roku March 26 and March 27. FS1 will host the morning session on March 28 from 8-11 a.m. ET before heading to FOX from Noon-3 p.m. On Sunday, March 29 action can be found on FS1 from 8-11 a.m. before heading to Bassmaster.com for afternoon coverage. All weigh-ins will be available live on Bassmaster.com starting at 4 p.m. ET.
Visit Columbus is this event.
2026 Bassmaster Elite Series at Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway 3/26-3/29
Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, Columbus MS.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 17-14 101
Day 1: 5 17-14
2. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 5 17-12 100
Day 1: 5 17-12
3. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 17-11 99
Day 1: 5 17-11
4. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 16-15 98
Day 1: 5 16-15
5. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 5 16-08 97
Day 1: 5 16-08
6. Pake South Winnsboro, TX 5 16-02 96
Day 1: 5 16-02
7. Jordan Lee Cullman, AL 5 15-13 95
Day 1: 5 15-13
8. Seth Feider Elko New Market, MN 5 15-09 94
Day 1: 5 15-09
9. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 5 15-07 93 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-07
10. Paul Marks Cumming, GA 5 14-10 92
Day 1: 5 14-10
11. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 14-07 91
Day 1: 5 14-07
11. Tyler Williams Barnett, MO 5 14-07 91
Day 1: 5 14-07
13. Cody Meyer Eagle, ID 5 14-03 89
Day 1: 5 14-03
14. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 13-15 88
Day 1: 5 13-15
15. Cliff Pace Ovett, MS 5 13-13 87
Day 1: 5 13-13
16. Dakota Ebare Brookeland, TX 5 13-10 86
Day 1: 5 13-10
16. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 5 13-10 86
Day 1: 5 13-10
18. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 5 13-09 84
Day 1: 5 13-09
18. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 5 13-09 84
Day 1: 5 13-09
20. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 13-08 82
Day 1: 5 13-08
21. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 13-06 81
Day 1: 5 13-06
22. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 5 13-05 80
Day 1: 5 13-05
22. Cody Huff Ava, MO 5 13-05 80
Day 1: 5 13-05
22. Cole Sands Johnson City, TN 5 13-05 80
Day 1: 5 13-05
25. Taku Ito Dalton GA JAPAN 5 13-04 77
Day 1: 5 13-04
26. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 5 13-03 76
Day 1: 5 13-03
27. Andrew Loberg Guntersville, AL 5 13-02 75
Day 1: 5 13-02
28. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 12-14 74
Day 1: 5 12-14
29. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 12-11 73
Day 1: 5 12-11
30. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 5 12-10 72
Day 1: 5 12-10
30. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 12-10 72
Day 1: 5 12-10
32. Luke Palmer Atoka, OK 5 12-09 70
Day 1: 5 12-09
33. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 5 12-08 69
Day 1: 5 12-08
34. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 5 12-07 68
Day 1: 5 12-07
35. John Garrett Union City, TN 5 12-06 67
Day 1: 5 12-06
35. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 5 12-06 67
Day 1: 5 12-06
37. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 5 12-05 65
Day 1: 5 12-05
37. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 12-05 65
Day 1: 5 12-05
39. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 5 12-04 63
Day 1: 5 12-04
40. Tucker Smith Birmingham, AL 5 12-03 62
Day 1: 5 12-03
41. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 12-03 61
Day 1: 5 12-03
42. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, ON Ontario CANA 5 12-00 60
Day 1: 5 12-00
43. Emil Wagner Marietta, GA 5 11-15 59
Day 1: 5 11-15
44. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 5 11-14 58
Day 1: 5 11-14
45. John Cox Debary, FL 5 11-13 57
Day 1: 5 11-13
46. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 11-08 56
Day 1: 5 11-08
47. Beau Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 11-06 55
Day 1: 5 11-06
47. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 5 11-06 55
Day 1: 5 11-06
47. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 11-06 55
Day 1: 5 11-06
50. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 11-05 52
Day 1: 5 11-05
51. Chris Johnston Peterborough Ontario CA 5 11-04 51
Day 1: 5 11-04
52. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 11-03 50
Day 1: 5 11-03
52. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 11-03 50
Day 1: 5 11-03
52. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 5 11-03 50
Day 1: 5 11-03
52. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 5 11-03 50
Day 1: 5 11-03
56. Easton Fothergill Grand Rapids , MN 5 11-02 46
Day 1: 5 11-02
56. Jacob Foutz Philadelphia, TN 5 11-02 46
Day 1: 5 11-02
58. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 11-01 44
Day 1: 5 11-01
58. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 5 11-01 44
Day 1: 5 11-01
60. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 5 11-00 42
Day 1: 5 11-00
61. Cory Johnston Otonabee CANADA 5 10-14 41
Day 1: 5 10-14
62. Nick Trim Galesville, WI 5 10-13 40
Day 1: 5 10-13
63. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 5 10-11 39
Day 1: 5 10-11
64. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 10-10 38
Day 1: 5 10-10
65. Caleb Hudson Lincolnton, GA 5 10-08 37
Day 1: 5 10-08
65. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 5 10-08 37
Day 1: 5 10-08
65. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 5 10-08 37
Day 1: 5 10-08
68. Wes Logan Springville, AL 5 10-07 34
Day 1: 5 10-07
69. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 10-03 33
Day 1: 5 10-03
69. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 10-03 33
Day 1: 5 10-03
69. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 5 10-03 33
Day 1: 5 10-03
72. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 5 10-02 30
Day 1: 5 10-02
73. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 10-01 29
Day 1: 5 10-01
73. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 5 10-01 29
Day 1: 5 10-01
75. Aaron Jagdfeld Rochester Hills, MI 5 10-00 27
Day 1: 5 10-00
76. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 5 09-15 26
Day 1: 5 09-15
77. Sam Hanggi Knoxville, TN 5 09-14 25
Day 1: 5 09-14
78. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 5 09-12 24
Day 1: 5 09-12
79. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 4 09-08 23
Day 1: 4 09-08
80. Fisher Anaya Eva, AL 5 09-07 22
Day 1: 5 09-07
81. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 09-05 21
Day 1: 5 09-05
81. Brock Reinkemeyer Warsaw, MO 5 09-05 21
Day 1: 5 09-05
83. Blake Capps Muskogee, OK 3 09-05 19
Day 1: 3 09-05
84. Bryan New Leesville, SC 3 09-04 18
Day 1: 3 09-04
85. Tristan McCormick Bon Aqua, TN 4 09-03 17
Day 1: 4 09-03
86. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 5 09-02 16
Day 1: 5 09-02
86. Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 5 09-02 16
Day 1: 5 09-02
88. Chris Zaldain Boyd, TX 5 08-15 14
Day 1: 5 08-15
89. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 4 08-14 13
Day 1: 4 08-14
90. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 5 08-13 12
Day 1: 5 08-13
91. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 08-04 11
Day 1: 5 08-04
92. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 07-15 10
Day 1: 5 07-15
93. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 4 07-06 9
Day 1: 4 07-06
94. Austin Cranford Oklahoma City, OK 4 07-03 8
Day 1: 4 07-03
95. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 3 04-13 7
Day 1: 3 04-13
95. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 3 04-13 7
Day 1: 3 04-13
97. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 3 04-11 5
Day 1: 3 04-11
98. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 2 04-06 4
Day 1: 2 04-06
99. Matt Messer Warfield, KY 2 03-15 3
Day 1: 2 03-15
100. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 2 03-10 2
Day 1: 2 03-10
101. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Justin Atkins Florence, AL 06-04 $1,000.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 87 476 1138-10
———————————-
87 476 1138-10