Bass Fishing's Elite Gather for Historic $1.25 Million Championship in Nashville

Sixty of the world's top professional bass anglers have convened on Old Hickory Lake in Middle Tennessee for the inaugural "The Champions" tournament, featuring a record $3.25 million total purse and a $1.25 million prize for the individual winner. The event marks the first time 30 anglers from the Bassmaster Elite Series will compete directly against 30 from Major League Fishing's (MLF) Bass Pro Tour.

MLF star Jacob Wheeler described the tournament as a landmark event, akin to a Super Bowl for bass fishing. "This is like in football, you have an AFC championship and an NFC championship, and basically we never compete against the other league," Wheeler told OutKick OutDoors. "So now for us to come together and compete under one roof, one tournament here in Nashville ... it would have the most meaning."

The competition began Thursday, with anglers divided into Team Stars (Bassmaster) and Team Stripes (MLF) for team bragging rights over the first two days. The top 15 individual anglers will advance to Saturday's championship round, where weights reset for a final showdown.

Adding an unusual element, two amateur anglers, Eric Giessing of Missouri and Kyle Carr of Texas, earned their spots through a sweepstakes and will compete alongside the professionals. "This is the one tournament that I think the Average Joes could literally win," said Bassmaster Angler of the Year Trey McKinney, noting the challenging conditions could level the playing field.

Experience vs. Youth

Team Stripes captain Zack Birge believes his squad's experience gives them an edge over the younger Bassmaster anglers. "We have a lot of middle-aged guys," Birge said, referring to his team's veteran status. "I feel like that gives us an advantage here, especially on a tough one."

Wheeler echoed this sentiment, referring to the older anglers as "the OGs." However, McKinney, who had a standout 2026 season, remains confident. "We're all equal competitors," McKinney stated. "We're all buddies and friends ... but when we get out on the water, we put our hard hats on, and that's when we go to work."

Challenging Conditions and Technology Restrictions

Old Hickory Lake presents a formidable challenge, with low water levels and minimal current making bass difficult to locate during practice. "It's a grind, and you got to stay at it 100%," McKinney noted.

The tournament also introduces restrictions on forward-facing sonar technology. Anglers can use it on only one of the first two days and for just half of the final championship day. MLF pro Drew Gill, an expert in the technology, believes these limitations could significantly impact the outcome. "That intel from seeing underwater is just so darn valuable, even when you shut it off," Gill said.

Emotional and Financial Stakes

With $1.25 million on the line, managing emotions will be crucial. "The key is you have to sort of control your emotion. And it's hard to do in an event this big," Wheeler remarked. "But that's what the best do in big moments."

For McKinney, a win represents more than just financial gain. "When you're talking retirement-status money that you're fishing for," he said, the stakes are immense. If he wins, McKinney plans to head to the beach for an extended break before considering investments.