Wyatt Burkhalter takes the victory at the 2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Grand Lake presented by Battery Tender with 68 pounds, 11 ounces!

 

By Pete Robbins

BASS Press Release

GROVE, Okla. — Wyatt Burkhalter of Alabama took a terrible practice and a lure he’d never thrown before and pieced together a masterful performance at the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees presented by Battery Tender. After landing in 4th place on Day 1, and rising into a narrow 7-ounce lead on Day 2, he sealed the deal on Saturday with his third consecutive limit over 20 pounds and won by a whopping 11 pounds 10 ounces over Wesley Baxley of Texas

Day 3 started off with a fog delay of approximately an hour, but once Burkhalter arrived at his starting area — a series of main lake rocky points experiencing a shad spawn — the bite started immediately. There were only two problems: the fish that connected with his spinnerbait were small and the ones that missed it were large.

“I had so many 20-pound bags hitting my bait today,” he said. “But I never spun out because I only had one thing to do and that was all I was going to do.”

This is one of the two tournaments in this Opens division in which forward-facing sonar will not be allowed. That didn’t deter or discourage Burkhalter one bit. Instead he leaned into the old school narrative, catching all of his fish using an original Shimano Curado baitcasting reel — “Old Greenie” — and a 1/2-ounce spinnerbait with a gold single Colorado blade, a chartreuse and white skirt and a trailer consisting of a Zoom grub dyed red.

“I figured that everyone throws a red kicker blade here in Oklahoma,” he said. “I’d show them something just a little bit different. But that Oklahoma blade is something new. I’ve never caught a bass on one until here.”

Evergreen's New Claw Motion

Evergreen’s new Claw Motion masters the backsliding technique, utilizing precision salt-offsetting and a decisive, gravity-defying design to reach the once unreachable

Bass anglers are arguably the greatest tinkerers on earth. Their manipulation and experimentation of soft plastics alone would impress even Dr. Frankenstein, championing rigging inventions that include the Neko, glide, wacky, shaky, donkey, dropshot, chicken, and more. Today, the tactical darling of the elite is "backsliding"—a technique designed to defy physics by sending a bait backward, deep into the shadows where bass feel safest.

At its core, backsliding is a tactical departure from the vertical plop of traditional soft plastics. While a conventional Texas rig or jig falls straight down—or follows the arc of the line back toward the angler—a backsliding bait is designed to glide in the opposite direction. By shifting the bait’s center of gravity toward the tail, the lure utilizes its own hydrodynamics to swim away on a slack line. Upon entry, instead of pulling away from the target, the bait hunts deeper into the darkness of an overhang, dock or brush pile.

Generally, backsliding requires surgical rigging—precision placement of nail weights and screw-locks to force a bait to glide away from the angler upon entry. Rigging is high-effort and high-maintenance.

Evergreen just changed the math...

The Gravity-Defying Glide The new Evergreen Claw Motion is a purpose-built gliding machine. Crafted specifically for the wildly popular backsliding technique, this 3-inch tactical craw also doubles as a skipping bait, finesse jig trailer, and can be effectively Texas-rigged. “The Claw Motion is about unrestricted access,” said DAIWA Field Marketing Manager, Chris Martin. “It reaches fish tucked deep into pockets in a milfoil mat, bog edges, submerged timber, and far under docks. This bait doesn't just sink – it wanders. It reaches the spaces that even the most precise flipping and pitching can’t touch.”

Precision Salt Distribution

Jacob Wheeler Wins 2026Bass Pro Shop REDCREST Presented by Mercury & Lowrance!

Jacob Wheeler won his first REDCREST title in seven tries on Table Rock Lake. Photo by Rob Matsuura. Angler: Jacob Wheeler.

By Mitchell Forde, 

Bass Pro Press Release

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — With 2 1/2 hours left to fish in Bass Pro Shops REDCREST Presented by Mercury & Lowrance, Jacob Wheeler sat on the front deck of his bass boat and made a phone call. Trying to distract himself from the fact that the $300,000 prize and REDCREST trophy that had long eluded him were within reach, Wheeler FaceTimed his wife, Alicia, and their two children, Olivia and Hudson, during the final period break.

At that point, Wheeler led his nearest pursuer by more than 17 pounds. With postfrontal conditions making for a tough bite on Table Rock Lake, just about everyone knew that the title that had long seemed inevitable was now imminent – including Olivia. The 7-year-old asked, “Daddy, you’re going to win, right?”

“I’m just like, ‘Honey, I’m going to try, but it’s not a guarantee,’” Wheeler said with a laugh. “’It’s OK if I don’t. We’re going to try our hardest.’”

Was that Wheeler trying not to get ahead of himself? Sure. But he had good reason not to get too excited. Since winning the Forrest Wood Cup in 2012 at age 21, Wheeler has accomplished just about everything there is to accomplish in tournament bass fishing: 11 Bass Pro Tour wins, a Bassmaster Elite Series win, four Fishing Clash Angler of the Year titles. But despite four top-six finishes, he had yet to win Major League Fishing’s championship event. 

Sunday, he finally got it done.

After pulling away from the rest of the Championship Round pros early, Wheeler cruised to a 51-pound, 11-ounce total on 21 scorable bass. That topped runner-up Takahiro Omori by 13-3 and earned Wheeler the one piece of hardware he’s been missing – the REDCREST trophy.

“It’s just been the thorn in my side,” Wheeler said. “I’ve had some really close calls. The ball has not bounced my way in these tournaments.

“It means the world. It really does.”

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

1. Jacob Wheeler – 51-11 (21)
2. Takahiro Omori – 38-8 (15)
3. Zack Birge – 32-15 (12)
4. Brent Ehrler – 29-7 (12)
5. Drew Gill – 28-1 (12)
6. Alton Jones Jr. – 24-14 (9)
7. Mark Daniels Jr. – 23-14 (10)
8. Spencer Shuffield – 20-9 (8)
9. Jeff Sprague – 17-3 (7)
10. Dustin Connell – 12-8 (5)

Full results

Jacob Foutz Wins 2026 Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River!

Canadians Cory Johnston 5th

BASS Press Release

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — Family’s important to Jacob Foutz, so when he made a promise to his great grandmother Judy Fisher, he intended to keep it. Two years after her passing, Foutz fulfilled his oath by winning the Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River.

After tallying a four-day winning total of 72 pounds, 4 ounces, Foutz linked a transitional moment in his final day to that longstanding family commitment.

“This afternoon, I had 30 minutes before I locked (back to Pool 16 from Pool 15) and I had gone back for a big one I had seen on bed,” said the 27-year-old from Philadelphia, Tenn. “My great grandma was my biggest fan. Every time I saw her, I promised her a blue trophy.

“That big fish wasn’t there and I said, ‘Grandma, if you’re watching, I can use a 5-pounder right now.’ About 5 minutes later, I caught a 6-1. You can’t script it any better than that.”

Foutz placed seventh on Day 1 with a bag of 18-1 and moved up to second a day later with 18-15. Adding 20-10 on Semifinal Saturday, Foutz took over the lead by a margin of 6-9.

2026 Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River Day 3: Foutz Out Front with 57-10lbs!

Canadians Cory Johnston 5th, Chris Johnston 20th & Gustafson 49th

Tennessee's Jacob Foutz has taken the lead on Day 3 of the Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River with a three-day total of 57 pounds, 10 ounces. (Photo: Seigo Saito/ BASS)

BASS Press Release

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — On a day marked with significant weather impact, Jacob Foutz looked like he was fishing different waters than the other 49 semi-finalists competing in the Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River.

In a way, he actually was, as the pro from Philadelphia, Tenn., has enjoyed three days of complete solitude in a backwater area of the Illinois River branching off the east side of Kerr Lake (Pool 15). During that time, Foutz has amassed a total of 57 pounds, 10 ounces, which sends him into Championship Sunday with a cozy lead of 6-9 over the first two days’ leader Fisher Anaya.

“It feels like I’m fishing in a different fishery; clean water, big ole bass — I can’t complain,” Foutz grinned. “Where I caught them today, I found it yesterday, but it’s part of the same backwater area I’ve been fishing.”

Keeping himself in the hunt, Foutz started with a seventh-place bag of 18-1 and moved up to second with a Day 2 limit that went 18-15. Adding his best effort — a third-round limit of 20-10 — puts him squarely in the driver’s seat.

A major storm system, which brought big winds toward the end of Friday’s weigh-ins, dropped air temperatures by about 15 degrees and lingered the blustery conditions throughout Day 3. Fortunately, Foutz was fishing in protected backwaters.

2026 Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River Day 2: Anaya Maintains Whisper Thin Lead!

Canadians Cory Johnston 12th, Chris Johnston 31st, Gustafson 43rd, Kung 80th & Gallant 90th

Alabama's Fisher Anaya maintains the lead on Day 2 of the Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River with a two-day total of 37 pounds, 1 ounce. (Photo: SEigo Saito/ BASS)

BASS Press Release

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — Fisher Anaya adjusted his Day 2 game plan in an effort to maximize his first-round findings, but when that strategy showed signs of fracturing, the pro from Eva, Ala., regrouped and caught what he needed to maintain his lead in the Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River.

After leading the field with a Day 1 limit of 20-4, Anaya carried a lead of 1-3 into the second round. Adding 16-13 today, he held on to the top spot with a two-day total of 37-1 and heads into Semifinal Saturday with only an ounce margin over Jacob Foutz.

“I’m gonna have to find some more fish, if I’m gonna have a shot at this thing, because I’m running low,” Anaya said. “Today, I didn’t get very many bites. I could see the fish on ’Scope (forward facing sonar), but it’s just going downhill. There are not many there and a lot of them are smaller.”

With the event based on Pool 16, tournament boundaries also comprise pools 17 and 15. Avoiding the big crowds that locked downriver to Kerr Lake (Pool 15), Anaya started Day 1 in Pool 17, caught two of his weight fish and then finished his day with greater productivity in 16.

Day 2 saw Anaya commit to Pool 16. While he was targeting largemouth, which typically grow bigger, Anaya was thankful for a spotted bass rally that got his day going.

“I ran to my area where I caught my big ones yesterday and they were gone,” Anaya said. “I don’t know where they went. I caught like 13-pounds of spots out of there on a jerkbait and a frog and just kinda went looking.

“There were a lot of 2 1/2- to 2 3/4-pounders there, so I caught them while I could to calm my nerves and then went looking.”

Later in the day, Anaya shifted to his big-fish areas.

2026 Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River Day 1: Anaya Scores Lead with 20-04lbs!

Canadians Gustafson 29th, Cory Johnston 29th, Chris Johnston  60th, Gallant 69th & Kung 71st

By David A. Brown

BASS Press Release

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — Fisher Anaya ran away from most of the field, but meeting back in the middle salvaged his day and positioned him atop the Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River with a 20-pound, 4-ounce limit.

With the event based on Pool 16, tournament boundaries also comprise pools 17 and 15. The largest percentage of the field locked downriver to Pool 15, for what is generally considered the greatest concentration of quality fish in this region of the river.

Anaya, a Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series rookie from Eva, Ala., calculated the considerable time required for locking into Pool 15, versus the shorter time he’d need to reach Pool 17. Factoring in his practice results, plus his experience at the previous Elite event, he chose the upriver option.

“I locked down at the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway with like 50 other guys and I was like, heck with traffic,” Anaya said. “I locked up today and there was eight or nine of us in the lock. It wasn’t bad.

“I had a better practice up there (Pool 17). I caught 20 pounds the first day of practice and when I went down to Pool 15, I had four fish one day and 15 pounds the next. I just canned that area because I didn’t feel like making a long run.”

As Anaya explained, time management ultimately determined his game plan.

“I didn’t think I could catch them fast enough in the short time I’d have to fish,” he said. “I just gave myself more time to fish.”

Anaya, the 2025 Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Angler of the Year, reached Pool 17 and found that lower water conditions had altered the scenario. He was able to catch two big fish that he had marked in practice, but around midday, Anaya realized he needed to make a change.

After that, he returned to Pool 16 where he found greater productivity with fish relating to grass patches and a few fry guarders (male bass protecting hatchlings).

“I found one patch of grass and caught three big ones on three casts,” Anaya said. “I got a little bit lucky, but I think luck plays a big factor on this place.

“I caught the two fish from Pool 17 on a 3/8-ounce ChatterBait, but in Pool 16, it was a little bit of everything. I caught one on a ChatterBait, one on a swim jig, one on a wacky rig, one on a jerkbait. I weighed two from Pool 17 and three from Pool 16.”

Abu Garcia Unlocks True Casting Potential With New Digital Revo VoltiQ Reels

 New VoltiQ technology delivers real-time casting adjustments for unmatched distance and precision

At the core of the VoltiQ reels is a 10-setting digital braking system designed to adapt across techniques, line types, and skill levels. Unlike standard digital cast control braking systems on the market that apply constant resistance throughout the cast, VoltiQ adjusts throughout offering a more refined, efficient experience with greater casting distance and overall control. The result is a linear brake curve that creates predictable outcomes at every level, delivering consistent casting performance across all 10-settings. 

“With VoltiQ, we wanted to give anglers more control and unlock even greater casting distance than ever before without overcomplicating the process,” said Andrew Wheeler, Director of Brand and Product at Abu Garcia. “VoltiQ offers 10 distinct settings that allow anglers to fine-tune performance for any condition – from beginners looking for maximum control to experienced anglers wanting to maximize their casting distance. This is the first digital casting reel to enhance your casting potential, not restrict it.”

 

For advanced anglers, settings 1-3 unlock “Pro Mode,” where braking is paused during spool acceleration and then sparingly applied during deceleration, allowing anglers to achieve maximum casting distance. In optimal conditions, this gives capable anglers the opportunity to make “bomb casts” for the first time ever with a digital reel. While other digital cast control reels and traditional systems tend to restrict casting distance, VoltiQ is specifically engineered to enhance it – giving skilled anglers the ability to fully capitalize on their casting potential.

 

When the angler selects a setting in the 4-6 range, the software applies braking throughout the cast, giving the angler the best balance of performance and distance – making it the ideal all-around choice for most anglers. When the reel is tuned to settings 7-9, increased braking is applied during both the acceleration and deceleration phases, providing enhanced control throughout the cast, especially in windy conditions or when using air-resistant baits and heavier fluorocarbon line. Setting 10 applies maximum braking throughout the entire casting process, delivering the highest level of control and making it best suited for large baits in high wind.

Berkley Upgrades and Expands the Nessie Platform

 Berkley Nessie adds a new 11-inch size, upgraded hook harness system and three new colors

Since its 2023 debut, the Berkley Nessie has built a reputation as a proven soft-bodied glide bait known for triggering aggressive strikes. After listening closely to angler feedback, Berkley has now evolved the Nessie platform with key hardware upgrades, expanded color offerings and the addition of a commanding new 11-inch size.

 

Headlining the features on the new 11-inch profile is a redesigned hook harness system that integrates a built-in stinger hook secured by a magnet slotted into the back portion of the bait. This new configuration improves hook-up ratios on this large profile bait while maintaining the natural glide and profile that anglers expect from the Nessie. An updated tail adhesion method further enhances durability, allowing anglers to land multiple fish without compromising action or appearance.

 

The addition of the new 11-inch size builds on the Nessie’s natural attraction and delivers even more drawing power for anglers targeting larger fish, while three new colors expand the bait's versatility across varying fisheries. Combined with its slow-sinking design and refined balance, the updated Nessie gives anglers more control and confidence when fishing high-percentage areas.