Jacob Wheeler Wins 2025 BPT Lowrance Stage 5 Presented by Mercury on Kentucky Lake!

 

Jacob Wheeler scored his ninth Bass Pro Tour event win on Kentucky Lake with 46 scorable bass weighing 110 pounds, 13 ounces. Photo by Phoenix Moore

By Mitchell Forde 

BASS PRO TOUR, Press Release

CALVERT CITY, Ky. — At each of the past two Bass Pro Tour regular-season events, Jacob Wheeler has finished in second place, one bite short of the win. He fell 2-3 shy of Drew Gill on Lake Murray, then lost a heartbreaker to Jake Lawrence on Chickamauga and Nickajack, when Lawrence caught a 5-9 in the final seconds before lines out.

At Lowrance Stage 5 Presented by Mercury on Kentucky Lake, Wheeler made sure no one else even got a chance to steal the trophy.

Wheeler rallied after a slow morning and stacked up 110 pounds, 13 ounces on 46 scorable bass during Sunday’s Championship Round. He turned what looked like it would be another slugfest with Lawrence, the home-lake favorite, into a rout, topping Lawrence by 32-7.

The win is Wheeler’s first of 2025 and ninth overall on the Bass Pro Tour, adding to his tour-best trophy count. This one carried special significance, not just because he was able to flip the script and get revenge on Lawrence, but because he grew up traveling to Kentucky Lake to compete in tournaments alongside his father, Curtis, who passed away from cancer in April.  

“I just felt like he was with me all week,” Wheeler said through tears shortly after the victory became official. “It’s the first tournament that I’ve fished on a lake that we fished together, and this one had a lot of meaning to it. Obviously, he was a big part of my life, and I wouldn’t be here without him. I just wanted to win it for him.”

Here’s how the Top 10 pros finished the Championship Round:

1. Jacob Wheeler – 110-13 (46)

2. Jake Lawrence – 78-6 (30)

3. Brent Ehrler – 69-8 (32)

4. Jacob Wall – 62-13 (27)

5. John Hunter – 62-10 (26)

6. Adrian Avena – 53-11 (22)

7. Cole Floyd – 51-11 (18)

8. Spencer Shuffield – 44-11 (16)

9. Andy Montgomery – 35-15 (16)

10. Michael Neal – 29-10 (12)

On paper, Stage 5 will go down looking like vintage Wheeler domination. He blasted more than 95 pounds during the first half of the first day of qualifying, then spent the rest of the day idling and scouting for new schools. He only fished for about a third of Day 2 but caught enough to win the Qualifying Round, earning himself a direct berth to the Championship Round. Sunday, while a north wind slowed the bite for everyone else, he cruised past the 100-pound mark.

The next EVOLUTION of Skeeter Bass Boats has Arrived

Introducing the new Skeeter ZXE Line of Bass Boats. Evolved with decades of experience, meticulously refined with cutting-edge technology and expert craftsmanship. Built to Dominate any water, the new ZXE ensures unmatched performance, unmatched reliability and unmatched experiences on the water.

The Next EVOLUTION has Arrived!

G.Loomis Elite Edge Tournament Rewards

Compete with confidence and get rewarded. Buy and register your G. Loomis rod in 2025 to qualify. Place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in sanctioned tournaments to earn a key at the 2026 Spring Fishing and Boating Show. Each key unlocks the Elite Edge Rod Locker, with a chance to win $10,000 CDN MSRP in G. Loomis rods and Shimano reels.

Tournament Reward Rules

·        Eligibility: The G. Loomis Elite Edge Tournament Rewards program is open to all tournament anglers who have purchased and registered their G. Loomis rod in 2025.

·        Membership: Membership is the purchase of a G. Loomis fishing rod in 2025 from an authorized G. Loomis dealer or from G. Loomis.ca website.

·        Registration: Registration must be completed prior to any sanctioned tournament to be eligible in the program. Eligible participants are registered G. Loomis rod owners who are members of the G. Loomis Elite Edge Tournament Rewards program.

·        Contingency Payments: Registered G. Loomis rod owners placing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd overall in a sanctioned event are eligible to receive a key at the G. Loomis Elite Edge award ceremony at the 2026 Spring Fishing and Boating Show. Maximum 3 keys per winner. The key gives the opportunity to open the Elite Edge Rod Locker to win $10,000 MSRP in G. Loomis rods and Shimano reels. The winner will have the option to pick rods and reels but cannot exceed $10,000 CDN MSRP.

·        Decals: The G. Loomis Elite Edge sticker logo must be displayed on the windshield of the angler’s boat. Decal will be issued at tournament registration of your respective tournament with a copy of store receipt.

·        Rod Purchase: The rod must have been purchased in 2025 prior to the event and rod must registered on the G. Loomis website.

·        Eligible Tournaments:

o   CSFL Competitive Sport Fishing League

• Bassmania

• CAN/US Walleye

• Pro Bass Tour

• MLF Canada

o   Bait Fuel Tour

• Qualifiers

• Thousand Island Open

o   Ontario Bass Nation

• National Qualifier (Lake Nipissing 2025)

 

·        Verification: Winners must be verified through the sanctioned tournaments organizers and names sent to G. Loomis to be eligible.

·        Approval: Approval of winners is at the sole discretion of G. Loomis.

·        Participant Responsibility: It is the participant’s responsibility to know the rules of the program. G. Loomis Elite Edge Tournament Rewards participants must meet all requirements and submit proof that they were met. G. Loomis Elite Edge Tournament Rewards recipients will be responsible to attend the awards ceremony at the 2026 Spring Fishing and Boating Show (Mississauga, ON).

Shimano Expands Flagship MGL Spinning Reel Lineup with the Exsence 2500XGB

A New Size for 2025 Brings Added Offering for Finesse Freshwater Applications

Shimano North America Fishing announces the debut of its Exsence B spinning reel lineup with a new 2500-size option, tailored for light-tackle anglers targeting freshwater species with techniques. As the flagship model in Shimano’s MagnumLite series, the Exsence B sets the standard for performance in finesse applications.

“When we talk about finesse, we’re talking about control — and that’s where this Exsence B dominates,” says Kade Gewanter, Freshwater Product Marketing Manager at Shimano North America Fishing. “The new size offering within the redesigned Exsence series — the Exsence 2500XGB — expands access to Shimano’s premium technologies for finesse bass fishing, allowing more anglers to fine-tune their gear for specific techniques using a premium reel equipped with Shimano’s MGL Rotor. Whether shaking a dropshot, or strolling a minnow, the Exsence B delivers the performance edge.”

Exsence B is engineered with Shimano’s most advanced reel technologies, empowering anglers with longer, more accurate casts, ultra-responsive control, and smooth, powerful retrieves. The lightweight frame is now available in a 2500-size option with ultra-fast XG gearing (6.4:1), making it the perfect spinning reel for targeting bass with finesse tactics.

Making a Strong Case for Protection

New D-VEC Reel Bag underscores DAIWA’s commitment to protecting and transporting your reels and other valuable gear

The innovative fishing company’s new D-VEC Reel Bag puts a heavy-duty nylon forcefield around 7 to 8 small to midsize reels, spinning or baitcasting.  

The case’s innerworkings are intuitive and utilitarian. Not only does the D-VEC Reel Bag accommodate a fishing vacation’s rotisserie of reels, but it’s also designed to individualize protection for the shape and size of each one. Semi-firm and padded dividers offer a modular approach to customizing fit, panels secured with Velcro tabs. And there’s no statute that says the bag is limited to reels, either. The modular configuration lends itself to multipurpose applications. Build a fortress around that camera, maybe safely encase your binoculars and smartphone. How about a small drone? No problem. There should still be enough space for a couple DAIWA reels…

The inside lid of the D-VEC Reel Bag is assigned as well. Double zippers open and close a mesh storage pouch that is ideal for spinning reel handles, keys, and that priceless fishing license.

Externally, the rugged D-VEC Reel Bag sports a robust zipper with easy-open, oversized pull-tabs. A comfortable sewn-in handle satisfies quick grab and go’s, while an adjustable and removable shoulder strap easily totes your treasures through the airport.

XZone and Cooper Gallant's New Rally Shad

The NEW Rally Shad was designed by Elite Series Pro Cooper Gallant. The Rally Shad has a realistic profile, ultra-thin fork tail, and our proprietary blend of slow-floating plastic. When fished on a ball head jig, this produces a unique body roll that mimics a real bait fish. Cooper created the Rally Shad to be used with forward facing sonar techniques, such as mid-strolling and hover strolling. This bait also excels on a drop shot, underspin, vibrating jig and other jigging techniques. Available in 10 proven fish catching colors for both bass and walleye anglers!

Most Popular Techniques

• Damiki/Moping/Hanging A Minnow
• Strolling
• Drop Shot

Most Popular Rigging

• Ball Head Jig/Swimbait Jig
• Hover Rig
• Drop Shot
• Chatterbait Trailer

Scott Canterbury Wins 2025 NPFL Stop #3 on Douglas Lake

Story by Justin Brouillard 

With light wind and shifting water levels across Douglas Lake, anglers were once again forced to adjust on the final day of Stop #3 of the NPFL season. The offshore bite never really came back after Day One, and while shallow patterns remained the deal, water color and stability varied depending on where you were.

When the dust settled, Scott Canterbury, who shared the lead heading into Showdown Saturday, showed up when it counted. He started the morning fishing floating docks around a marina and connected with a 4-pound, 14-ounce kicker—his biggest of the week—then backed it up with another solid keeper to put him over 8 pounds right out of the gate. From there, he returned to his flooded bushes, where he’d caught fish all week, and made key culls to build his final-day bag of 19 pounds, the biggest of the event.

He kicked things off with 17 pounds, 6 ounces on Day One to take the lead, then added 14 pounds, 3 ounces on Day Two—his slowest day of the week. On Saturday, he slammed the door shut, weighing the tournament’s heaviest bag to earn his first NPFL win and take home the Douglas Lake NPFL Shield.

Kyle Welcher, the reigning Progressive AOY, came out swinging and put together a solid bag of 16 pounds, 10 ounces, finishing in second place with 48 pounds, 3 ounces for three days. Barron Adams finished in third place with 43 pounds, 2 ounces, adding his biggest limit of the event on the final day.

Canterbury Closes Strong

After holding a share of the lead through two days, tied with Kyle Welcher and Tim Cales, Canterbury knew the final day would come down to decision-making. As it turned out, a choice he made in practice—and another first thing Saturday morning—helped seal the deal.

Memorial Day

 

Wishing our American readers and meaningful day. 

Nick Hatfield cruises to first Bass Pro Tour win at B&W Trailer Hitches Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops, Jeff Sprague earns $100,000 Big Bass Award

Tennessee pro catches 12 bass for 42-12 in Championship Round to earn $100,000 top prize, Sprague catches 6-2 largemouth to earn $100,000 Berkley Big Bass Award

MLF Press Release

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. – Entering the Championship Round at B&W Trailer Hitches Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops, Nick Hatfield didn’t really believe he had much of a chance of leaving with the title belt. Sure, he tried to talk himself into a scenario in which every other angler struggled and he found a magic school of Smith Mountain Lake bass. But given that he’d never led at any point during his first three days of competition and squeaked into the Top 10 by finishing eighth in the Knockout Round, his focus was more on winning the $100,000 Berkley Big Bass award up for grabs on the final day.

Yet Hatfield took the lead 5 minutes after lines in Thursday and never looked back. He stacked up 42 pounds, 12 ounces on 12 scorable bass to top Justin Lucas by 13-12 for his first Bass Pro Tour victory. That earned him not only the championship belt but a $100,000 paycheck, plus an extra $10,000 for catching the biggest bass during his second day of qualifying.

Hatfield wasn’t the only angler to leave Smith Mountain with a six-figure payday. While Jeff Sprague caught just two scorable bass on the day, one of them tipped the scales at 6-2. More than a pound heavier than the next-largest bass, that easily earned Berkley Big Bass honors, netting Sprague his second career $100,000 big bass bonus.

Hatfield never felt farther away from the Heavy Hitters title than at the end of his first day competing on Smith Mountain Lake. During Group A’s first day of the Qualifying Round, he mustered just five scorable bass for 15-1, which had him nearly 10 pounds back of the elimination line.

Yet that lackluster day laid the foundation for Hatfield’s win. He’d caught all his weight off the same spot during the first period – a flat, main-lake point where both largemouth and smallmouth were ambushing spawning blueback herring. However, having never competed on Smith Mountain before, when his bite slacked, he set off in search of something better. He never caught another scorable bass on the day.