LA CROSSE, Wis. — Caleb Kuphall was banking on his local knowledge and that expectation delivered both metaphorically and practically as the pro from Mukwonago, Wis., retained the lead on Day 2 of the Pro-Guide Batteries Bassmaster Elite at Upper Mississippi River. After setting the high mark with a first-round limit of 18-pounds, 15-ounces, Kuphall entered Day 2 […]
Author: Mandy Pascal
Smith adds Rookie of the Year title to Bassmaster trophy case
LA CROSSE, Wis. — Following instincts led Tucker Smith to his best finishes during his rookie year on the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series. He made his most impactful gut feeling move on Day 2 of the Pro-Guide Batteries Bassmaster Elite at Upper Mississippi River, earning him yet another trophy for his trophy case. The Birmingham, Ala., pro claimed the 2025 Dakota […]
Kuphall claims narrow Day 1 lead in Bassmaster Elite at Mississippi River
LA CROSSE, Wis. — Four years ago, when Caleb Kuphall claimed his first Bassmaster Elite trophy at Lake Guntersville, the Wisconsin pro leveraged his deep knowledge of northern grass fishing to pull the winning fish out of Alabama milfoil. Today, Kuphall intentionally avoided the typically prominent local game to find the 18-pound, 15-ounce limit that leads Day 1 […]
Long reach leads Howell to Bassmaster Open win at Leech Lake
WALKER, Minn. — The only thing that stood taller than Laker Howell was the fishing rod he used to win the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Leech Lake presented by SEVIIN. At 6-foot-5, the pro from Guntersville, Ala., armed himself with a 7-foot-9 Daiwa Kage medium swimbait rod and leaned on his largemouth prowess to tally a two-day […]
Minke manages minute lead in Bassmaster Open at Leech Lake
WALKER, Minn — Kyle Minke knew his opportunities would be slim, but capitalizing on what he had to work with yielded a 22-pound Day 1 limit that leads the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Leech Lake presented by SEVIIN. On a tight leaderboard that finds only 1 1/2 pounds separating first place from 10th, Minke holds a 1-ounce […]
Seasonal movement critical in Bassmaster Elite finale at Upper Mississippi River
LA CROSSE, Wis. — To catch fish, you have to know where they are. But looking past that obvious truth, knowing where they are often requires an understanding of where they’re going. Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro Pat Schlapper said that principle will factor keenly into the Pro-Guide Batteries Bassmaster Elite at Upper Mississippi River. […]
Healthy Leech Lake will demand diligence for Bassmaster Opens anglers
WALKER, Minn. — In the Ojibwe language, the name translates to “lake abundant with blood suckers,” but anglers competing in the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Leech Lake presented by SEVIIN will find this vast northern Minnesota fishery abounding in rod-bending opportunity. Competition days will be August 14-16 with daily takeoffs from Walker Public Dock at 6 […]
McKinney puts finishing touches on wire-to-wire victory at Lake St. Clair
MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. — The Yokohama Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair certainly hasn’t been difficult for Trey McKinney, but after three days of competition the second-year pro didn’t know how many big smallmouth were left in his best area. His questions were quickly answered on Championship Sunday as McKinney caught a 6 pound, 2-ounce smallmouth within the […]
McKinney continues smallmouth master class, increases lead on Day 3 at Lake St. Clair
MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. — When Trey McKinney is at his best, the 20-year-old can dissect one big area of a body of water and find where the bigger bass are within that location. That strategy has worked to perfection through three days of the Yokohama Tire Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair as McKinney has combed through one area […]
McKinney maintains Day 2 lead, takes control of AOY race
MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. — Trey McKinney has been more nervous during the Yokohama Tire Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair than any tournament in his short career. Country music helps ease that anxiousness, and it seemed like on Day 2, the smallmouth enjoyed the sound of fiddles and steel guitars too. “Country music makes me fish better, especially when […]