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Tuesday, December 16, 2025
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Jagdfeld wins weather-shortened Nation Qualifier at Lake Erie

Brian Carter
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Jagdfeld wins weather-shortened Nation Qualifier at Lake Erie

Due to high winds, Days 2 and 3 of  the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Erie presented by Lowrance were canceled. Michigan’s Aaron Jagdfeld was crowned champion for his Day 1 catch of 23 pounds, 5 ounces. 

Photo by Grant Moxley/B.A.S.S.

July 18, 2025

Jagdfeld wins weather-shortened Nation Qualifier at Lake Erie

Nation_Mercury_Lowrance_4C_Raster.png

MONROE, Mich. — Lake St. Clair is Aaron Jagdfeld’s favorite place in the country to bass fish, and this week the Michigan native earned some major hardware on his home waters.

Making the 130-mile round-trip journey from the western shore of Lake Erie to Lake St. Clair, Jagdfeld won the weather-shortened 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Erie presented by Lowrance with a limit of smallmouth weighing 23 pounds, 5 ounces, anchoring his bag with a 5-7 smallmouth that earned Big Bass of the Tournament honors. 

“I know it’s not how it usually happens,” Jagdfeld said. “It’s a wild way for it to happen, and I don’t have any words to describe it. It is a pretty incredible feeling. I really wanted to win this one with it being on my home lake. It is incredible to get it done on my favorite place in the world.”

Iowa’s Chris Miller finished second with 21-10 followed by Ohio’s Cody Dawson in third with 21-8, Allex Conner in fourth with 20-10 and Jacob Swanson in fifth with 19-15.

Jagdfeld came close to winning two major tournaments last season, both of which would have sent him to the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour that was held in Fort Worth, Texas, with competition on Lake Ray Roberts. Last July, he finished second to Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jay Przekurat during the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake St. Clair presented by SEVIIN. Then in late September, the Adrian College grad made the final round of the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s at Tims Ford Lake, finishing second to Dylan Akins. 

Now, the 24-year-old will have another shot at qualifying for the Classic at the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance.

“Finishing second in both of those events added fuel to the fire and makes me want to get to the Classic so much more,” Jagdfeld said. “I’m excited to get to the National Championship.”

As often happens, the wind kicked up on the Great Lakes this week, creating challenging conditions on Day 1 and downright hazardous conditions the rest of the week. Forecasts called for 15 to 30 mph winds out of the west on Thursday and wave heights rising between 5 and 9 feet, forcing the cancellation of Day 2. Conditions were not much better Friday morning as anglers prepared to take off as the winds shifted to the east, and tournament officials made the decision to cancel the final day. 

During Wednesday competition day, Jagdfeld focused on smallmouth that had already moved into their summer patterns. Those bass were feeding on perch in 17 to 19 feet of water around isolated patches of cabbage. 

“It might not have been that high off the bottom,” he explained. “Even if those fish weren’t sitting in the cabbage, they would be right around and in the general area. Those bass will congregate around something a little different on those sand flats. It wasn’t super-thick, either. They were just little clumps.”

Once he found a promising patch of cabbage, Jagdfeld pitched a Rapala CrushCity Freeloader to the smallmouth he saw on his forward-facing sonar. He rigged it on a 5/16-ounce VMC Hybrid Head to make sure the bait reached smallies moving at a high rate of speed.

“It’s not fishing a rockpile where the bass are just sitting there. These fish are constantly zigzagging,” he said. “That head gets down to them really fast, so you are a lot more efficient. Those smallmouth like it moving away from them quickly most of the time, so you can fish the bait really quickly and get a reaction strike out of them.”

If they didn’t eat the Freeloader, Jagdfeld would throw a 6-inch Deps Sakamata Shad on a 3/16-ounce Owner Range Roller Round Head XL jighead, which fell through the water column at the same rate of speed but gave the bass a different profile.  

Miller notched his second top finish in a one-day B.A.S.S. derby earlier this year after winning the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn presented by SEVIIN in February and punching his ticket to the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.

“We’ll take it. I was really anxious to get out there today, but the right call was made,” Miller said. “I’m excited to get an opportunity to get a shot at the Natty. The main focus now is making the (Progressive Bassmaster) Elite Series.”

The Iowa native also made the long run to St. Clair where he targeted a 50-yard stretch of short grass in 10 to 12 feet of water. High spots within that 50-yard stretch held the better groups of bass.

He caught 40 smallmouth on Day 1 to work his way to his 21-10 limit. A Strike King Baby Z-Too in the Arkansas shiner color rigged on an Owner 3/16-ounce Range Roller jighead produced all of his bites. Miller said finding a group of bass in their summer patterns was a key piece to his success.

“In practice, I noticed the short grass was a lot better. When it got hot later in the week, the bass were really moving to the short grass and actually schooling up,” Miller said. “I pulled up and had my limit in 15 minutes. I would break the school up, and then a little later I would circle back. I upgraded all day.” 

Mount Vernon, Ohio’s Cody Dawson fished isolated rocks and rockpiles in 22 feet of water on Lake Erie to finish third with 21-8. He pitched a smoke purple Berkley Flat Worm rigged on a 1/2-ounce drop shot to the rocks. 

“It was extremely tough for me,” Dawson said. “I thought I had a pretty good gameplan with a school (of smallmouth) at my starting spot, but it did not pan out. So, I kept running individual rocks and rockpiles and I eventually landed in an area that had them. I put a good bag in quickly.

“I didn’t LiveScope any of them.”

Indiana’s Paul Andorfer and Ontario’s Warren Cooper tied for the top spot in the nonboater division with 12-0. Minnesota’s Perry See finished third with 11-11, followed by Rhonda Pitts in fourth with 11-1 and Jediah Barrett in fifth with 10-11. Barrett also claimed Big Bass of the Tournament honors with a 4-3.  

The Top 18 boaters and nonboaters claimed a spot in the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Upper Mississippi River presented by Lowrance scheduled for Oct. 22-25.

2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier at Lake Erie presented by Lowrance 7/16-7/18
Lake Erie, Monroe  MI.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1.  Aaron Jagdfeld         Rochester Hills, MI      5  23-05    0
  Day 1: 5   23-05   
2.  Chris Miller           Spirit Lake, IA          5  21-10    0
  Day 1: 5   21-10   
3.  Cody Dawson            Mount Vernon, OH         5  21-08    0
  Day 1: 5   21-08   
4.  Allex Conner           Delaware, OH             5  20-10    0
  Day 1: 5   20-10   
5.  Jacob Swanson          Framingham, MA           5  19-15    0
  Day 1: 5   19-15   
6.  Jonathon Dewey         Fort Gratiot, MI         5  19-13    0
  Day 1: 5   19-13   
7.  Kevin Martin           Crown City, OH           5  19-11    0
  Day 1: 5   19-11   
8.  Connor Sirois          Buxton, ME               5  19-11    0
  Day 1: 5   19-11   
9.  Brian Brown            Sandusky, OH             5  19-03    0
  Day 1: 5   19-03   
10. Garrett Paquette       Canton, MI               5  19-02    0
  Day 1: 5   19-02   
11. Charles Sim            Wasaga Beach Ontario CA  5  19-00    0
  Day 1: 5   19-00   
12. Keith Poulin           Lisbon, ME               5  18-13    0
  Day 1: 5   18-13   
13. Bryce Poulin           Lisbon, ME               5  18-11    0
  Day 1: 5   18-11   
14. Reece Keeney           Winneconne, WI           5  18-10    0
  Day 1: 5   18-10   
15. Paul Ersing            Ogunquit, ME             5  18-09    0
  Day 1: 5   18-09   
16. Justin Hrach           Rostraver Township, PA   5  18-04    0
  Day 1: 5   18-04   
17. Nathan Delaney Jr      Weyauwega, WI            5  18-01    0
  Day 1: 5   18-01   
18. Larry Clontz           Trenton, OH              5  18-01    0
  Day 1: 5   18-01   
19. Ty Austin              Rush, NY                 5  17-15    0
  Day 1: 5   17-15   
20. Nick Deering           Portland, ME             5  17-14    0
  Day 1: 5   17-14   
21. Griffin Fernandes      Fishers, IN              5  17-14    0
  Day 1: 5   17-14   
22. Eddie Levin            Westerville, OH          5  17-12    0
  Day 1: 5   17-12   
23. Matt Mosby             Dryden, MI               5  17-07    0
  Day 1: 5   17-07   
24. Whitney Stephens       Waverly, OH              5  17-04    0
  Day 1: 5   17-04   
25. Kyle Moodie            Ripon, WI                5  17-04    0
  Day 1: 5   17-04   
26. Jack Frame             Fremont, WI              5  17-02    0
  Day 1: 5   17-02   
27. Bradley Baxter         Willshire, OH            5  17-01    0
  Day 1: 5   17-01   
28. Taylor Umland          Carlock, IL              5  16-15    0
  Day 1: 5   16-15   
29. Eric Storms            Winner, SD               5  16-15    0
  Day 1: 5   16-15   
30. Doug Chapin            Tigerton, WI             5  16-14    0
  Day 1: 5   16-14   
31. Matt McCoy             Indianapolis, IN         5  16-14    0
  Day 1: 5   16-14   
32. Mark Tonjum Jr         Spencer, IA              5  16-12    0
  Day 1: 5   16-12   
33. Russell Volquardsen    Creighton, NE            5  16-10    0
  Day 1: 5   16-10   
34. Trysten Williams       Georgetown, IN           5  16-10    0
  Day 1: 5   16-10   
35. Michael Spaulding Jr.  Dundee, MI               5  16-07    0
  Day 1: 5   16-07   
36. Derrick Soulliere      Belle River Ontario CAN  4  16-07    0
  Day 1: 4   16-07   
37. Cory Mathes            New Holstein, WI         5  16-06    0
  Day 1: 5   16-06   
38. Eric Aguilar           Grand Blanc, MI          5  16-04    0
  Day 1: 5   16-04   
39. Michael Egnac          West Mifflin, PA         5  16-03    0
  Day 1: 5   16-03   
40. Jacob Zaremski         Rochester, NY            5  15-15    0
  Day 1: 5   15-15   
41. Andrew Sams            Easton, MD               5  15-13    0
  Day 1: 5   15-13   
42. Brock Belik            Orchard, NE              5  15-12    0
  Day 1: 5   15-12   
43. Carson Peeters         Menasha, WI              5  15-11    0
  Day 1: 5   15-11   
44. Josh Cole              Columbus, IN             5  15-10    0
  Day 1: 5   15-10   
45. Corey Bohlmann         Le Roy, IL               5  15-09    0
  Day 1: 5   15-09   
45. Mason Gillihan         Manchester, IA           5  15-09    0
  Day 1: 5   15-09   
47. Cason Hiers            St. Paul, MN             5  15-08    0
  Day 1: 5   15-08   
48. Matthew Davis          Morenci, MI              5  15-07    0
  Day 1: 5   15-07   
49. Matt Marques           Seneca, IL               5  15-07    0
  Day 1: 5   15-07   
50. Darryl Halbert         Enoree, SC               5  15-07    0
  Day 1: 5   15-07   
51. Jose Munoz             McHenry , IL             5  15-05    0
  Day 1: 5   15-05   
52. Chad Timmer            Hudsonville, MI          5  15-05    0
  Day 1: 5   15-05   
53. Shane Nelson           Wadsworth, OH            5  15-04    0
  Day 1: 5   15-04   
54. Vince Xiong            Champlin, MN             5  15-03    0
  Day 1: 5   15-03   
55. Dustin Bauer           Louisville , KY          5  15-02    0
  Day 1: 5   15-02   
55. Corey Lindsey          Marion, OH               5  15-02    0
  Day 1: 5   15-02   
57. Bryan Finch            Belton, TX               5  15-02    0
  Day 1: 5   15-02   
58. Randy Huffman          Charleston, WV           5  14-14    0
  Day 1: 5   14-14   
59. Tim Ward               Coshocton, OH            5  14-13    0
  Day 1: 5   14-13   
60. Steven Smith           Johnstown, OH            5  14-10    0
  Day 1: 5   14-10   
61. Jeremiah Acton         Shelbyville, MI          5  14-09    0
  Day 1: 5   14-09   
62. Miles Johnson          Washington Twp, OH       5  14-09    0
  Day 1: 5   14-09   
62. Zack Morris            Durham, ME               5  14-09    0
  Day 1: 5   14-09   
64. Bryce Hauf             Winner, SD               5  14-08    0
  Day 1: 5   14-08   
65. Nathan Reynolds        Florence, AL             5  14-07    0
  Day 1: 5   14-07   
66. Ed Powell              Sandyville, WV           5  14-06    0
  Day 1: 5   14-06   
67. Joe Titus              Bemidji, MN              5  14-06    0
  Day 1: 5   14-06   
68. Gunner Wilson          Fenton, MI               5  14-05    0
  Day 1: 5   14-05   
69. James Welch II         Litchfield, ME           5  14-05    0
  Day 1: 5   14-05   
70. Josh Sokol             Orland Park, IL          5  14-04    0
  Day 1: 5   14-04   
71. Louis Monetti          Brielle, NJ              5  14-03    0
  Day 1: 5   14-03   
72. Troy Thorington        West Olive, MI           5  14-00    0
  Day 1: 5   14-00   
73. Jerry Koller           Paragon, IN              5  13-14    0
  Day 1: 5   13-14   
74. Gary Greenwood         Taylors, SC              4  13-14    0
  Day 1: 4   13-14   
75. Jordan Hirt            Council Bluffs, IA       5  13-12    0
  Day 1: 5   13-12   
75. Chris Johnson          Farmington, AR           5  13-12    0
  Day 1: 5   13-12   
77. Nick Hargis            Wentzville, MO           5  13-11    0
  Day 1: 5   13-11   
78. Mitchell Elsey         Olivet, MI               5  13-11    0
  Day 1: 5   13-11   
79. Steve York             Bronson, MI              4  13-10    0
  Day 1: 4   13-10   
80. Michael Kazmierczak    Lemont, IL               5  13-09    0
  Day 1: 5   13-09   
81. Chase Loftus           Iowa City, IA            5  13-03    0
  Day 1: 5   13-03   
82. David Reiss            Westport Island, ME      5  13-03    0
  Day 1: 5   13-03   
83. Ricardo Guzman         Farmington, MO           5  13-00    0
  Day 1: 5   13-00   
84. Justin Rowse           O’Neill, NE              5  12-15    0
  Day 1: 5   12-15   
85. Cliff Van Beek         Canistota, SD            5  12-14    0
  Day 1: 5   12-14   
86. Kevin Allen            Springport, IN           5  12-12    0
  Day 1: 5   12-12   
87. Edward Gad             Morris, IL               5  12-10    0
  Day 1: 5   12-10   
88. Kevin Newcomb          Saint Albans, WV         5  12-07    0
  Day 1: 5   12-07   
89. Shane Oltjenbruns      Neligh, NE               5  12-06    0
  Day 1: 5   12-06   
90. Chris Rhodes           Eaton, IN                3  12-06    0
  Day 1: 3   12-06   
91. Nobuyuki Terajima      Hermitage, TN            4  11-15    0
  Day 1: 4   11-15   
92. Dan Hendley            Mankato, MN              4  11-15    0
  Day 1: 4   11-15   
93. Bailey Bleser          Burlington, WI           5  11-14    0
  Day 1: 5   11-14   
94. Colby Kirwan           Wagner, SD               5  11-11    0
  Day 1: 5   11-11   
95. Drew Crawford          Knightstown, IN          5  11-04    0
  Day 1: 5   11-04   
96. Johnny Bigger II       Spring Hill, FL          5  11-03    0
  Day 1: 5   11-03   
96. Karl Guegold           Johnstown, OH            5  11-03    0
  Day 1: 5   11-03   
98. Larry Peterson II      Hammond, WI              4  11-01    0
  Day 1: 4   11-01   
99. Jody White             Shaftsbury, VT           5  11-00    0
  Day 1: 5   11-00   
100. Jeff Brown             Wentworth, SD            5  10-15    0
  Day 1: 5   10-15   
101. Dave Schneider Jr      Indianapolis, IN         5  10-14    0
  Day 1: 5   10-14   
102. Cade Laufenberg        Onalaska, WI             4  10-09    0
  Day 1: 4   10-09   
103. Colton Lindsey         Mount Sterling, OH       5  10-08    0
  Day 1: 5   10-08   
104. Jesse Stewart          Lima, OH                 5  10-01    0
  Day 1: 5   10-01   
105. Ryan Whitacre          Chicago, IL              5  10-00    0
  Day 1: 5   10-00   
106. Bryan Hulsey           Troy, MO                 5  10-00    0
  Day 1: 5   10-00   
107. Darrin Lewellen        Heath, OH                5  09-14    0
  Day 1: 5   09-14   
108. Brad Paradis           Ogdensburg, NY           4  09-09    0
  Day 1: 4   09-09   
109. Dustin Taylor          Galesburg, IL            4  09-08    0
  Day 1: 4   09-08   
110. Robert Myers           Lacona, IA               4  09-04    0
  Day 1: 4   09-04   
111. Trevor Sanderson       New Lenox, IL            5  08-08    0
  Day 1: 5   08-08   
112. Ray McGraw             Chillicothe, OH          3  08-06    0
  Day 1: 3   08-06   
113. Donald Roberts Jr      Bellville, OH            4  08-02    0
  Day 1: 4   08-02   
114. Thy Dinh               Charleston, WV           3  08-01    0
  Day 1: 3   08-01   
115. Clayton Grimm          Mechanic Falls, ME       3  07-10    0
  Day 1: 3   07-10   
116. Ernie Dillingham       Wisconsin Rapids, WI     3  07-07    0
  Day 1: 3   07-07   
117. Geno Bielawa           Schodack Landing, NY     5  07-06    0
  Day 1: 5   07-06   
118. Jeremiah Shaver        Holmen, WI               2  07-06    0
  Day 1: 2   07-06   
119. Josh Hubbard           Citrus Springs, FL       3  07-03    0
  Day 1: 3   07-03   
120. Andy Toft              Canton, SD               2  07-02    0
  Day 1: 2   07-02   
121. Quincy Bryant          Shakopee, MN             3  06-15    0
  Day 1: 3   06-15   
122. Mathew Lyons           Bar Harbor, ME           2  06-01    0
  Day 1: 2   06-01   
123. Frank Scalish          Mt Gilead, OH            2  05-14    0
  Day 1: 2   05-14   
124. Gary Michalski         Naperville, IL           3  05-13    0
  Day 1: 3   05-13   
125. Bob Evans              Elkhart, IN              3  05-10    0
  Day 1: 3   05-10   
126. Kevin Scheibelhut      Mishawaka, IN            5  05-02    0
  Day 1: 5   05-02   
127. Mason Phillpotts       Swartz Creek, MI         3  05-00    0
  Day 1: 3   05-00   
128. Jacob Crapyou          Wheelersburg, OH         2  04-06    0
  Day 1: 2   04-06   
129. Travis Wise            Rootstown, OH            2  04-05    0
  Day 1: 2   04-05   
130. Harry Therault         Elgin, IL                2  03-11    0
  Day 1: 2   03-11   
131. Colton Boelkes         Roscoe, IL               1  02-09    0
  Day 1: 1   02-09   
132. Joseph Kinsley         Parkersburg, WV          1  02-08    0
  Day 1: 1   02-08   
133. Allen Williford        Paducah, KY              1  01-13    0
  Day 1: 1   01-13   
134. Kevin Postalwait       Ripley, WV               5  00-00    0
  Day 1: 5   00-00   
135. Brennan Berglund       Zimmerman, MN            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Dustin Bliss           Brooklyn Park, MN        0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Jonathan Carter        Portland, ME             0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Hunter Colwell         Bellefontaine, OH        0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Tyler Conde            Chepachet, RI            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Kollin Crawford        Broken Bow, OK           0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Lance Crawford         Broken Bow, OK           0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Evan Delarosa          Kalamazoo, MI            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Mark Desjardin         Vassalboro, ME           0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. John Engler            Vinton, IA               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Chris Episcopo         Canonsburg, PA           0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Ethan Fields           Carlyle, IL              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Joe Grafeman           Camdenton, MO            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Patrick Henry          Westerville, OH          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Jon Jezierski          Clinton Twsp, MI         0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Casey Knaup            Fort Atkinson, WI        0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Ryan Koehn/Lofts       Ada, MI                  0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Nick Koehne            Manteno, IL              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Randy Kukral           Aurora, OH               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Buck Mallory           Lawton, MI               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Harmon Marien          Eagle River, WI          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Tylor Marquis          Gray, ME                 0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Tricia Mcgraw          Chillicothe, OH          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Brian Post             Janesville, WI           0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Nic Rand               Paw Paw, MI              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Clay Reitz             Morton, IL               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Craig Saylor           Oak Hill, OH             0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Dan Stowell            Plainwell, MI            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Kenneth Swint          Bargersville, IN         0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Zach Wiggers           Ravenna, MI              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Neal Wisinski          Stevens Point, WI        0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
135. Justin Yenter          Stevens Point, WI        0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1       103       606      1793-01
———————————-
         103       606      1793-01





Legacy Lunker Program poised to grow trophy bass potential in Arkansas

Brian Carter
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0
Legacy Lunker Program poised to grow trophy bass potential in Arkansas
LONOKE – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission announced this week the upcoming launch of its Legacy Lunker Program, an angler-based initiative set to celebrate and significantly enhance the future of bass fishing in The Natural State. Officially launching Jan. 1, 2026, the program combines Arkansas’s rich angling culture with cutting-edge science.”Arkansas is The Natural State, and iconic outdoor experiences like watching waterfowl flutter into timber or hearing a turkey gobble at dawn are part of our DNA,” AGFC Director Doug Schoenrock said. “Bass fishing is ingrained in that DNA as well, from the first Bassmaster tournament held at Beaver Lake in 1967 to Rick Clunn’s record-setting Bassmaster Classic victory on the Arkansas River in 1984, big bass are a big deal to Arkansas anglers. The Legacy Lunker Program is one of the most exciting initiatives I’ve ever been a part of, designed to harness that passion and elevate our trophy bass potential.”The Legacy Lunker Program is the ultimate angler involvement program, combining citizen science with recognition of bass angling as a top recreational endeavor in Arkansas. It aims to collect essential data, including crucial genetic information, to guide future management strategies and conservation efforts, ultimately producing more trophy bass.”This program gives us the opportunity to partner with Arkansas-based companies such as Xpress Boats, PRADCO and Harper’s Pure Country Taxidermy,” AGFC Black Bass Program Coordinator Jeremy Risley said. “With top-tier boating- and fishing-related companies like these right here in Arkansas, it was inevitable that we’d reach out to them to help promote this major step in the evolution of Arkansas bass fishing.”
The support didn’t come only from inside Arkansas’s borders. Risley explained that the program borrows quite a few pages from The Toyota Sharelunker Program hosted by Texas Parks and Wildlife.“We worked alongside Texas to learn how we can maximize the results of Legacy Lunker in Arkansas,” Risley said. “I can’t tell you how appreciative we are of Natalie Goldstrohm, TPWD ShareLunker Coordinator, and other TPWD staff for sharing their knowledge and helping us make this happen.”Thanks to the recent renovation of the Joe Hogan State Fish Hatchery, anglers will be able to donate any 10-pound-plus largemouth bass caught from public water in Arkansas from Jan. 1 through March 31 each year. If the fish is deemed healthy enough to survive spawning, the AGFC will transport it to the Joe Hogan Hatchery, where it will be housed in its own raceway to prevent any contamination or possible disease transmission. The lunker will then live in comfort until she is ready to spawn.
“That’s when the fisheries biologist nerd in me really gets excited,” Risley said. “Instead of placing the lunkers in with males from previous generations, we’re partnering with Red Hills Fishery in Georgia to match up our females with male Florida bass that have been identified on a genetic level as having the genes to grow big bass. We’re actually cutting down the curve and putting only the best bass together without waiting for progeny to develop into broodstock five years down the road.”After spawning, each donated bass and its offspring will be released back into the bodies of water where they were caught, boosting the genetics of that lake with fish proven to grow to trophy potential.“That’s the other thing that’s so cool about Legacy Lunker,” Risley said. “These are fish that have proven to grow to trophy size in that Arkansas lake where the fish will be stocked. We’re not just adding fish that may not take to the habitat. We plan on expanding to other lakes in the future, but we want to focus on the lakes where we know they’ll grow in these first few years.”
For participation in the program, all anglers who donate a bass 10 pounds or larger during the spawning season will receive a prize package including a replica mount of their fish created by Harper’s Pure Country Taxidermy in Mountain Home. AGFC Deputy Director Ben Batten said all anglers who donate to the program also will be invited to a banquet next fall to collect their replica mounts and celebrate the program, where one of the participants will walk away with a brand new, fully decked out 21-foot Xpress Boat with a 250 horsepower Yamaha outboard valued at $80,000. “Not only is one of these anglers going to catch the fish of a lifetime, but they may be fishing out of a dream rig thanks to Xpress Boats right here in Arkansas,” Batten said. Rory Herndon, president of Xpress Boats commented on his company’s generous commitment to the long-awaited program in Arkansas. “This program isn’t just about big fish — it’s about building a legacy for future generations of anglers,” Herndon said. “We’re proud to stand beside AGFC in making Arkansas among the top destinations for trophy bass fishing.”Little Rock angler Dr. Hugh “Lin” Burnett knows Arkansas bass have trophy potential. Late last fall, Burnett pulled in an 11.14-pound monster of a bass at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs. AGFC fisheries staff happened to be available immediately after the catch and decided it was time to put some of the Texas teachings into action in a trial run.“We were able to take Lin’s fish and successfully run it through all of the stages of the program, including a release of its offspring earlier this year,” Risley said. “Lin came down to release his Lunker back into Hamilton, and she was in even better shape than when he caught her, just a slight bit lighter from being post-spawn.”
Burnett’s bass wasn’t the only Lunker to be collected through the soft opening. Five largemouth bass greater than 10 pounds were collected through word of mouth earlier this year, all of which were successfully released after the spawn. “We’re really excited to see the response from anglers this year because we really weren’t advertising the program yet,” Batten said. “I’m really pumped to see what sort of response we’ll get with that Xpress boat as bait.”The Legacy Lunker Program will have a year-round angler recognition component in addition to the donation component.“We’re really excited to partner with companies like Bass Pro Shops and PRADCO to help provide prize packs and awards for anglers to celebrate Legacy Lunker year-round,” Risley said. “Big fish make big memories, and anglers remember those big bass for years, no matter when they caught them.”Beginning in January, anglers who catch a largemouth weighing 8 pounds or more will be able to enter their catch on agfc.com to be eligible for a prize and recognition. Any fish over 10 pounds caught outside of the donation window will also receive bonus prizes. Youth anglers who catch fish over 6 pounds will receive prizes as well. 
“Arkansas is home to fantastic smallmouth streams as well, so we’re working on weights for smallmouth and spotted bass catches in the Legacy Lunker recognition program as well,” Risley said. Be sure to follow the AGFC on social media and at www.agfc.com/legacylunker as we count down the days to Jan. 1, 2026, to usher in a new era of trophy bass management in The Natural State and leave a legacy of lasting memories for generations to come. Contact Will Lancett, Legacy Lunker Coordinator, at [email protected]  or Jeremy Risley, Black Bass Program Coordinator, at [email protected] for more information about the Legacy Lunker Program and black bass fishing in Arkansas.
####CUTLINES:
MAN WITH BIG ‘UNLittle Rock angler Lin Burnett returned his trophy bass to Lake Hamilton in May. AGFC photo by Mike Wintroath.
YOUTH HOLDING LUNKERLevi Whitman released his 10.52-pound largemouth bass back into Millwood Lake after participating in the AGFC’s trial run of the Legacy Lunker Program this spring. AGFC photo by Mike Wintroath.
SPAWNING CAGEGiant bass will be taken to the newly renovated Joe Hogan State Fish Hatchery to be spawned with males genetically tested for “big fish” genes. AGFC photo by Mike Wintroath.
GROUP SHOT WITH BOAT
AGFC Commissioners and staff stand with Rory Herndon, president of Xpress Boats next to the donated 21-foot boat that will be won by one lucky Legacy Lunker participant next fall. AGFC photo by Mike Wintroath.
RELEASING BABY BASSFingerling bass spawned from two Lake Hamilton lunkers during this year’s trial run were stocked back in the water where they came in June. AGFC photo by Mike Wintroath.
RELEASING BIG FISHKellen Davis released his 12.59-pound largemouth bass back into Lake Hamilton after it successfully spawned at an AGFC hatchery earlier this year. AGFC photo by Mike Wintroath.





Missile Baits Unleashes the Freedom Flyers and Eye Roll Jig Head for Ultimate Minnow Action

Brian Carter
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0
Missile Baits Unleashes the Freedom Flyers and Eye Roll Jig Head for Ultimate Minnow Action

Salem, VA – Missile Baits continues to expand its premium soft plastics lineup with the launch of the all-new Freedom Flyer 4.25 and Freedom Flyer 6.0, soft plastic minnow baits designed for maximum rolling action and versatility. Pairing seamlessly with the new Eye Roll jig head, this dynamic duo gives anglers the lifelike movement and precision needed to fool even the most pressured fish.

Crafted with Missile Baits’ signature attention to detail, the Freedom Flyers feature a minnow shaped body with unique up-pitch elevators on the rear of the bait that cause easy swimming and rolling action. Measuring in at 4.25 and 6.0 inches, both are the perfect profile for targeting bass feeding on shad, minnows, and other baitfish. Whether you’re fishing it on the brand-new Eye Roll jig head, weightless Texas rigged, or on a Carolina rig, the Freedom Flyers deliver subtle yet deadly action in any water clarity.

“The Freedom Flyer is a bait we’ve been working on for a long time,” said John Crews, professional angler and owner of Missile Baits. “We wanted something that had a natural and functional baitfish profile but also rolls with ease because of the up-pitch elevators on the rear portion. It’s money on a jig head like the Eye Roll, but just as deadly fished like a fluke, on a Carolina rig, or on a scrounger head.”

The Eye Roll jig head was developed to complement the Freedom Flyer perfectly. Designed with a welded stainless-steel ring and oversized 3D eyes, the Eye Roll offers increased rolling and wobbling action that enhances the Freedom Flyer’s rolling and swimming action. With a custom, super slick VMC hook and wire bait keeper, the Eye Roll provides anglers with a reliable and effective tool for targeting suspended or bottom-oriented fish. Available in multiple head weights and finishes, the Eye Roll gives anglers the freedom to fish any depth with pinpoint control.

Product Highlights:

  • Freedom Flyers
    • Unique rear up-pitch elevators create easy rolling action
    • Realistic minnow profile with a dynamic tail
    • 4.25 and 6.0 inches in length
    • Works great on jig heads, scrounger heads, weightless, or as a trailer
    • 8 color options including Live Minnow, Electric Shad, and Spot Remover
  • Eye Roll Jig Heads
    • Welded stainless steel ring allows for increased rolling and wobbling action
    • Available in 1/16 oz, 1/8 oz, 3/16 oz, and 1/4 oz sizes in 1/0 hook size
    • Available in 1/8 oz, 3/16 oz, 1/4 oz, and 3/8 oz sizes in 3/0 and 5/0 hook sizes
    • Wire bait keeper and custom, slick coated VMC hook
    • Oversized lifelike 3D eyes

The Eye Roll jig heads are shipping to tackle retailers nationwide this week and soon online at www.missilebaits.com. The Freedom Flyer 4.25 will ship in early September, and the Freedom Flyer 6.0 will ship in October.





Slugfest on tap for Kayak Series at Lake Champlain

Brian Carter
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0
Slugfest on tap for Kayak Series at Lake Champlain

Plattsburgh, N.Y., will host the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Champlain presented by Native Watercraft July 26-27.

Photo by Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.

July 18, 2025

Slugfest on tap for Kayak Series at Lake Champlain

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Options will be plentiful for anglers fishing the 2025 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Champlain presented by Native Watercraft, and New Hampshire native Jake Angulas believes big bags of both smallmouth and largemouth will be caught.

“It can be won fishing for either species,” Angulas said. “I think smallmouth will dominate, but I wouldn’t be surprised if someone catches 100 inches of largemouth. It can be won with largemouth, but it is a little harder to do.”

Tournament days are set for July 26 and 27 with tournament headquarters established in Plattsburgh. Competitors will be allowed to launch from any approved public launch on Lake Champlain. The Top 5 finishers will qualify for the 2026 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship presented by Native Watercraft and anglers will earn points toward the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year race.

The crown jewel of the Adirondack Coast, Lake Champlain has been a popular destination of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail. Both the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Series presented by Lowrance and the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series visited in 2024, and both tournaments produced impressive numbers and quality of both species of bass that inhabit these waters. Only U.S. waters will be in play during this tournament.

High waters prevailed last year after several tropical remnants passed through the region during the summer. Angulas expects the water levels to be mostly normal come tournament time this year, unless more tropical activity makes its way north.

As one of the biggest playing fields kayak anglers will visit this year, Champlain provides plenty of opportunities for anglers to fish comfortably.

“The cool thing about Champlain is, you can really fish your strengths and do whatever you feel comfortable doing. You can go down to Ticonderoga and pull out the big rod or you can go to the north end and do the whole LiveScope game. You can even chuck a big spook around. You can pick your poison and run with it.”

On the north end of the lake, smallmouth and largemouth are plentiful, but caught in different ways. Postspawn smallmouth will tend to set up on rock structure and will also chase alewives and perch in open water. Cabbage and perch grass will also hold brown fish this time of the year. Football jigs, drop shots, jighead minnows and swimbaits always catch smallmouth on Lake Champlain.

“Most of the fish are going to postspawn and [are] starting to push offshore,” Angulas said.

Largemouth, meanwhile, gravitate to the grassy shallows and marinas on the north end of the lake. Docks and some rock elements will also hold quality green fish. Several of the rivers have produced winning bags in recent history. Jigs, frogs and flipping baits will be productive for these bass.

“They have played pretty heavily in the last several kayak derbies and there is potential to win in there,” Angulas said.

The Adirondack Coast is hosting the tournament.





Jake & John Murdock Win CATT Lake Gaston 5 bass at 16.54 lbs along with BF at 4.62 lbs!

Brian Carter
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0
Jake & John Murdock Win CATT Lake Gaston 5 bass at 16.54 lbs along with BF at 4.62 lbs!

Next up is the Lake Gaston Final on August 9th! We have $2,230.00 in the Gaston Final Fund! Someone is going to take home a FAT check! If you entered the 1 Gaston Qualifier, you’re eligible to enter the Final! Scroll down on the Gaston Division page to view the points!

Jake & John Murdock weighed in 5 bass at 16.54 lbs along with BF at 4.62 lbs, taking 1st place at Lake Gaston!

Evan White & Shane Doughtie took 2nd with 5 bass weighing 16.20 lbs! Evan & Shane also won the Gaston Points and will fish the 2026 Spring Gaston Qualifier Free!

TeamBFWeightWinningsPoints
Jake Murdock John Murdock4.6216.54$1,230.00110
Shane Doughtie Evan White3.9416.20$595.00109
Andrew Grant Jeremy Hicks0.0014.74$120.00108
Adam Richardson Bentley Richardson3.5014.32107
Chuck Murry Randy Groves3.2013.60106
Gene Richardson Blake Richardson0.0012.83105
Ben Dalton Dean Dalton0.0011.16104
Al Lancaster Robby House0.0010.09103
Dennis Bradley Allen Mitchell0.0010.00102
Kendall Morris Nate Lancaster0.007.64101
Joey Scott Michael Bryant3.527.60100
Jay Allen Scott Griffin4.047.0899
John Edwards Jr Carter Edwards0.000.0089
Todd Smith Eric Schell0.000.0089
James Joyner Chris McDaniel0.000.0089
Total Entries$1,680.00
BONUS $$650.00
Total Paid At Ramp$2,045.00
2025 Gaston Spring Final$285.00
CATT$50.00
2025 CATT Championship Fund$50.00
2025 Gaston Spring Final Total$2,230.00





Jacob Barfield & John Proctor win the CATT Waccamaw River with 5 bass weighing 22.08 lbs!

Brian Carter
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0
Jacob Barfield & John Proctor win the CATT Waccamaw River with 5 bass weighing 22.08 lbs!

Up next is the Phantom Outdoors Tournament at Bucksport July 26th!  By entering the Phantom, you will be eligible to enter the Waccamaw River Summer Final!

NO OFF LIMITS for Practice!
Normal CATT Rules Apply!
Pre-Pay online or at Ramp Morning of!

Entry Fee: $210 per team Online or $220 at ramp
MUST BE CATT MEMBERSHIP $35
Enter 1 or more side pots or none! Optional!
Platinum BONUS $100 (Paying 3 Places)
Gold BONUS $50 (Paying up to 3 Places)
Silver BONUS $25 (Paying up to 2 Places)
Blastoff # Determined by Order of Payment!
Paying 1 Big Fish Place and 1 Place for Every 7 Teams Entered!

Use PHANTOMCATT15 at checkout and earn 15% off your order!

The Waccamaw River Summer Final is August 9 at Bucksport Marina!

Jacob Barfield & John Proctor win the Waccamaw River with 5 bass weighing 22.08 lbs! They also weighed in the BF at 6.77 lbs! Jacob & John are also out Waccamaw River Summer Point winners and will fish the Final free plus blast off #1.

Chris Jones & Ed Owens finished 2nd with 5 bass weighing 17.73 lbs!

Ray Inman & Glen Altman 3rd with 5 bass weighing 14.80 lbs!

TeamBFWeightWinningsPoints
John Proctor – Jacob Barfield6.7722.08$1,420.00110
Ed Owens & Chris Jones6.5317.73$550.00109
Glenn Altman & Ray Inman4.9014.80$180.00108
Bennett Lawshee & Marshall Sasser3.0411.90$120.00107
Travis Spivey & Matthew Mitchell2.8911.52106
Mike Gerald & Jesse Norris2.8811.41105
Trey Cribb & Dylan McConnell2.4310.42104
Britt Brown & Danny Martin3.0010.40103
Mark Johnson & Gary Pope2.9710.05102
Timmy Williamson & Dason LASIK2.399.95101
Jamie Godbolt & Garrett Tyler2.739.62100
Reid & Jay McDowell0.009.4399
Joey & Danny McLean2.129.0198
Chase Marshall & Brian Howard0.008.8297
Eric Cox & Robby Bynum2.677.0796
Lucas Russell & Thomas Young0.006.9395
Cal Marsh & Garrett Howard0.006.6394
Jacob Thompkins & Josh Bart0.000.0084
Kevin & Kel Owens0.000.0084
Smithy Smith0.000.0084
Total Entrys$2,400.00
BONUS $$300.00
Total Paid At Ramp$2,270.00
CATT$50.00
2025 Waccamaw Spring Final Fund$330.00
2026 CATT Championship Fund$50.00
2025 Waccamaw Spring Fund Total$1,455.00
2025 Waccamaw Spring Point Fund$300.00





Greg & Matt Nettles Win CATT Lake Wateree with 5 bass weighing 17.40 lbs!

Brian Carter
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0
Greg & Matt Nettles Win CATT Lake Wateree with 5 bass weighing 17.40 lbs!

We are taking a break from the heat, so the next Lake Wateree tournaments will be the beginning of the Fall CATT Trailon Sept 27th, and the next Lake Wateree Open will be a $60 open also on Sept 27th! See you then!

Greg & Matt Nettles win Wateree with 5 bass weighing 17.40 lbs!

Randall Bock & Steve Phillips 2nd with 14.28 lbs!

Craig Haven & Paul Wells 3rd with 13.58 lbs!

Jerry Freezon Jr & Carson Hopkins took 4th with 12.76 lbs!

TeamBFWeightWinningsPoints
Greg Nettles & Matt Nettles4.8817.40$810.00110
Steve Phillips & Randall Bock3.9314.28$420.00109
Paul Wells & Craig Haven3.2913.58$100.00108
Jerry Freezon Jr. & Carson Hopkins3.7012.76107
Chris Joyner & Jamis Medlin (Sub Michael Richardson)3.4211.61106
Mark Healon & Jess Williams0.0010.79105
Graden Hovis & Jake Gwin0.009.89104
Daniel Barrick2.583.92103
Brett Collins0.000.0093
Jerry Freezon & Ethan Freezon0.000.0093
Scott Floyd0.000.0093
Pete Muller0.000.0093
Braydon Padgett & Logan Blizzard0.000.0093
2025 Wateree Open Points$1,475.00
2025 Wateree Open Final Fund$1,500.00





Shimano Expands Iconic Baitcasting Lineup with the Curado 150 M

Brian Carter
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0
Shimano Expands Iconic Baitcasting Lineup with the Curado 150 M

New Size for 2025 Brings Added Performance for Freshwater Applications.

Charleston, SC – Shimano North America Fishing proudly introduces the Curado 150 M, the newest evolution in the iconic Curado series of low-profile baitcasting reels. Set to debut at the 2025 ICAST show in Orlando, Florida, the Curado 150 M delivers next-level castability and smoothness across a wide range of bass fishing techniques.

Shimano crafted the Curado 150 M to deliver performance in line with the advanced Curado 200 M. Whether casting lightweight finesse jigs or a spinnerbait across open water, the 150 M provides quick acceleration and smooth control for pinpoint accuracy.

“Curado has been a household name in the bass fishing world for over two decades, and the new Curado 150 M addition builds upon this legacy as a strong, smooth, dependable reel that brings value beyond its price point,” says Kade Gewanter, Freshwater Product Marketing Manager at Shimano North America Fishing. “It’s a true workhorse that delivers versatility for various fishing styles.”

Shimano built the Curado 150 M to meet the needs of serious bass anglers with its compact, powerful, and adaptable design. The updated MGL Spool III design is thinner, reducing startup inertia for improved casting distance and accuracy. Additionally, the SVS Infinity braking system offers consistent spool control with an easy-to-access external adjustment dial for quick adaptation to changing conditions or different bait sizes. MicroModule Gear II provides smooth retrieval while minimizing gear noise, and the Cross Carbon Drag system delivers reliable stopping power for big fish. The HAGANE Body, made from highly rigid metal, resists flex and allows for maximum cranking power.

For more information about this new offering and Shimano’s complete range of innovative fishing tackle, visit fish.shimano.com. To find a retailer near you, visit Shimano’s dealer locator. For more information on Shimano and the latest product releases, please contact Gordon Brown at [email protected].

About Shimano North America Fishing

Since 1970, Shimano has been a global manufacturer of industry-leading fishing tackle systems built for anglers compelled by experiences on the water. Shimano designs, manufactures, and markets a deep lineup of angling-specific products focused on promoting health and happiness through the enjoyment of nature and the world around us. The company proudly maintains a portfolio of four consumer-preferred brands: Shimano, G.Loomis, Jackall, and PowerPro. You can learn more at https://fish.shimano.com/en-US or follow on social @fish_shimano_north_america/,@fishgloomis, @jackall_usa, and @fishpowerpro.





Yamamoto Shinobi Grub Arrives

Brian Carter
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0
Yamamoto Shinobi Grub Arrives

Yamamoto Shinobi Grub Arrives

The new Yamamoto Shinobi Grub is multi-faceted.

Irving, TX – The 3.5″ double-tail kicking grub can catch fish in a variety of different ways – just ask Yamamoto pro Brent Ehrler.

“I’ve been anxiously awaiting the release of the Shinobi Grub,” says Ehrler. “This thing is a great jig trailer, chatterbait trailer, and finesse pitching bait – all wrapped up into one little compact package. I almost always scale down my baits because of fishing pressure, and the Shinobi Grub is tailor-made for that type of fishing.”

Available in 8 legendary Yamamoto colors, the Shinobi Grub comes 8 per pack in clamshell packaging. Get yours today at Baits.com or your favorite fishing retailer.

About GSM Outdoors

Few American outdoor companies enjoy a mutually respected relationship with their customers that span over five generations. GSM Outdoors is among those few! For over 70 years, the GSM family of brands has been helping passionate hunters, shooters, knife enthusiasts and anglers succeed through innovation and the manufacture of high-quality, reliable products that continue to prove themselves in the field, on the range and on the water. GSM Outdoors continues to leverage the latest technology and provide customers with the best products on the market. Tradition, heritage, and loyalty to outdoor enthusiasts of generations past and generations to come…that’s the GSM Outdoors guarantee!





B.A.S.S. announces new partnership with Lippert to sponsor 2026 Elite Series Event and Pro-Am Tournament

Brian Carter
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0
B.A.S.S. announces new partnership with Lippert to sponsor 2026 Elite Series Event and Pro-Am Tournament

July 17, 2025

B.A.S.S. announces new partnership with Lippert to sponsor 2026 Elite Series Event and Pro-Am Tournament

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. is proud to welcome Lippert as the newest partner in the Bassmaster family, with the company stepping in as title sponsor of a 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series event (location to be announced) and the presenting sponsor of a Pro-Am tournament held in conjunction with that Elite event.

The partnership bridges two forces dedicated to the outdoor lifestyle — Lippert, a leader in products that power adventures from the driveway to the dock, and B.A.S.S., the world’s authority on bass fishing. For fans, this means not only another action-packed stop on the Elite Series but also a Lippert Pro-Am tournament where special guests will get the chance to compete alongside the best bass anglers in the world.

“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Lippert and welcome them to the Bassmaster family,” said Phillip Johnson, Chief Operating Officer of B.A.S.S. “Lippert’s dedication to innovation, performance, and the outdoor lifestyle is a perfect fit for B.A.S.S. and our community of anglers. This partnership isn’t just about event sponsorship — it’s about connecting with fans who live for the outdoors, whether that’s on the water, the road, or the trail. The addition of the Lippert Pro-Am is going to bring an exciting level of energy and engagement to the Elite Series.”

Lippert’s influence on the outdoor experience is broad and deep. From CURT towing gear and Ranch Hand truck protection to UWS storage solutions and Lewmar’s growing marine line, including cutting-edge shallow water anchors, Lippert brands are found wherever adventure begins.

“We’re excited to take our partnership with Bassmaster to the next level,” said Jarod Lippert, Chief Marketing Officer of Lippert. “At Lippert, we cover pretty much all products that enhance the outdoor lifestyle — from the truck to the boat to the RV. Whether it’s CURT towing gear, Ranch Hand protection, or Lewmar’s new shallow water anchors, our brands are built to perform where it counts. We’re proud to be one name with a strong family of brands behind it, showing up for the doers, the explorers, and everyone who makes the outdoors their way of life.”

Lippert’s Director of Marine Aftermarket Sales Harcourt Schutz added, “What we value most about Bassmaster is the loyalty — to the sport, to the community, and to brands that show up and deliver. That’s how we’ve earned trust across CURT, Ranch Hand, UWS, and now our growing marine lines. This partnership is about building relationships, not just awareness, and that’s what drives long-term success.”

The specific location and dates for the 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series event presented by Lippert will be announced soon. In the meantime, fans can look forward to a tournament week packed with Elite competition, a one-of-a-kind Pro-Am experience, and the unmistakable presence of Lippert and their family of outdoor brands.

For more information about the 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series and the Lippert Pro-Am, visit Bassmaster.com.





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