In a dramatic conclusion to the 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series regular season, Evan Kung staged a stunning final-day comeback to win the Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River. The tournament itself was a historic showcase of angling prowess, with an unprecedented nine anglers surpassing the 100-pound mark, a feat known as earning a “Century Belt.” This remarkable achievement set a new record for the most Century Belts awarded in a single smallmouth bass event in Bassmaster history, underscoring the exceptional quality of the fishery and the competitive intensity of the anglers.
Kung’s Career-Saving Victory
For Evan Kung, this victory was more than just a trophy; it was a lifeline. He entered the St. Lawrence River event with his Bassmaster Elite Series career hanging in the balance, needing a significant performance to retain his card. Instead of just meeting the minimum requirement, Kung delivered a masterful performance, building a consistent lead over four days and culminating in a decisive final push. His triumph was further highlighted by securing the Phoenix Boats Big Bass award for a 6-pound, 13-ounce smallmouth, adding a significant flourish to his championship win.
“It was a crazy week,” Kung reflected after the event. “I knew every day going in what I needed to catch just to stay in the Elites. Once I had that locked up, I went out today wanting the Century Belt. Once I had that, I just went looking for big ones.”
Kung described a bold strategy on Championship Sunday that paid off handsomely. “I went to the lake for three hours, didn’t catch a fish, came back in the river and caught that big one in the last 20 minutes. It was a crazy week.” His consistent approach throughout the tournament relied heavily on a drop-shot rig, utilizing about 95% of the time, including with a prototype bait from Great Lakes Finesse that is slated for a future release.
A Nail-Biting Final Day
Kung began the final day trailing leader Trey McKinney by a narrow margin of 1 pound, 8 ounces. As the first of the two leaders to weigh in, Kung laid down a final-day total of 27 pounds, 12 ounces. This impressive bag propelled him to a cumulative weight of 109 pounds, 9 ounces, putting him in the lead for the first time all week and placing immense pressure on McKinney.
McKinney, who needed 26 pounds, 8 ounces to reclaim the lead and secure the victory, ultimately fell short by two pounds. His final-day catch was not enough to overtake Kung, sealing the championship for Kung in the closing moments of the tournament.
“It was a tough year on me, so it’s great to end it like this,” Kung expressed, still processing his win. “I couldn’t have thought of a better ending. I’m kind of at a loss for words right now.” He extended his gratitude to the network of support that accompanied him throughout the week, including sponsors, friends, his mother, and his girlfriend’s family, noting, “It’s extra special to have them all here to see it.”
A Tournament of Records and Near Misses
The St. Lawrence River proved to be a formidable and generous fishery, with the entire Top 10 delivering outstanding performances. Trey McKinney, despite finishing second with 107 pounds, 9 ounces, secured the prestigious Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. Tucker Smith (3rd, 107-1) and Cory Johnston (4th, 106-7) also achieved personal bests and joined the Century Club, finishing within a pound of each other.
Cole Sands (5th, 105-10) shared a compelling personal narrative, having dedicated a month and a half to scouting the river, treating the preparation almost like trout fishing. “I wanted one of those Century Belts so bad for so long, and I finally got one,” Sands stated. “And to get it with smallmouth at the St. Lawrence — this might be my favorite bass fishery on earth.” He elaborated on his strategy: “I chose not to go to the lake — I saw in practice that the river had plenty of big smallmouth, and you just have to know how to read the current. It’s almost like trout fishing, the way you have to drift your bait. I kept it real simple — a drop shot and a minnow bait — and it led to a great finish. No complaints.”
The Century Club Expands
The anglers who completed the Century Club were:
- Brandon Cobb (6th, 103-14)
- JT Thompkins (7th, 103-0)
- Bryant Smith (8th, 101-3)
- Fisher Anaya (9th, 100-5)
Anaya’s Century Belt was particularly poignant, achieved on the final cast of a week that held significant personal stakes for him.
Easton Fothergill (10th, 99-8) narrowly missed joining the exclusive club, finishing just shy of the 100-pound threshold.
A Fishery Living Up to Its Hype
The sheer number of anglers achieving 100-pound totals is a testament to the St. Lawrence River’s status as a premier bass fishing destination. Fueled by a robust population of goby-eating smallmouth bass and a highly skilled Elite Series field pushing the limits, this tournament is destined to be remembered as one of the most productive and fiercely contested smallmouth events in Bassmaster history.
While Evan Kung’s name now adorns the championship trophy, the St. Lawrence River itself was a major winner. In an event where a weight of 99 pounds wasn’t enough to secure a top-nine finish, the tournament celebrated the collective achievement of the field and the extraordinary capabilities of the fishery, which delivered on all expectations.
