2026 MLF Bass Pro Tour Kicks Off at Lake Guntersville
Events . Featured Stories . News & Press ReleasesThe 2026 MLF Bass Pro Tour Preview
The 2026 Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour season is officially set to launch January 15–18 at one of the sport’s most iconic fisheries — Lake Guntersville, Alabama. With a 51-angler field, a $600,000 purse, and a slate of storylines ready to unfold, the B&W Trailer Hitches Stage 1 Presented by Mercury promises high-stakes action from the very first cast.
“We’re excited to kick off the 2026 Bass Pro Tour season at Lake Guntersville – one of the most iconic bass fisheries in the country. This event is going to offer a completely different look at Guntersville than what fans are used to seeing.” – Kathy Fennel, MLF Executive Vice President and General Manager
Lake Guntersville: A Storied Fishery With A Twist
Guntersville isn’t just a stop on the tour — it’s bass fishing royalty. This legendary Tennessee River impoundment has hosted more than 140 competitive events, but January’s Bass Pro Tour stop will be the first multi-day tour event on the lake in winter, offering a brand-new look at how the fish behave in cool conditions and how pros adapt their strategies.
Locals like pro Jacob Wall believe the lake will present a very different challenge than in spring or summer, with bite rates potentially slower but quality fish heavier and healthier — meaning smart, steady catches could be more valuable than volume alone.
“We just don’t have many big events on Guntersville this time of year, so I think it’s going to fish different than what we’ve seen in the past.” – Jacob Wall, Power-Pole Pro
A Star-Studded & Dynamic Competitor Field
This year’s opener brings together some of the biggest names and brightest talents in competitive bass fishing. The roster includes:
- Jacob Wheeler — reigning Bass Pro Tour Angler of the Year and 10-time BPT champion
- Dustin Connell — back-to-back REDCREST champion (3x REDCREST Champion)
- Edwin Evers, Ott DeFoe, Matt Becker — seasoned winners and fan favorites
- Rookie standouts like Banks Shaw, Dustin Smith, Mitchell Robinson, and Jacob Walker — hungry to make their mark on the sport’s top stage.
“With fresh faces on the roster and a schedule that pushes anglers into familiar fisheries at unfamiliar times, the 2026 season feels especially unpredictable.” – Major League Fishing
All anglers will compete under MLF’s catch, weigh, immediate release format, where every bass instantly counts toward the leaderboard and momentum can flip in a flash.
Season-Long Storylines Begin Here
Ahead of the opener, Major League Fishing highlighted several narratives that could end up defining the upcoming 2026 season:
- Can Jacob Wheeler extend his AOY dominance? — Wheeler’s track record makes him the man to beat, but challengers like Matt Becker, Jake Lawrence, and Alton Jones Jr. will pressure him all season.
- Which sneaky contenders could break out early? — Pros like David Dudley, Brent Ehrler, Jeff Sprague, Cole Floyd, Spencer Shuffield, and Dustin Smith have the tools to shake up leaderboards — especially when conditions change day to day.
How the Format Works
The Stage 1 format will play out over four days:
- Qualifying Rounds (Thursday & Friday) — All 51 anglers fish for position.
- Knockout Round (Saturday) — Top anglers advance to fight for a Championship berth.
- Championship Round (Sunday) — Weights reset, and the highest one-day total wins the trophy and a $125,000 top prize.
Fans can follow every moment live online via MLFNOW!, the MyOutdoorTV app, and Rumble, complete with real-time SCORETRACKER® updates.
What to Watch For at “Big G”
- Winter timing = new patterns: With very few big events held at Guntersville in January, pros will lean on creativity and adaptability.
- Fish quality over quantity: Expect 4–6+-pound bass to play a big role in success.
- Forward-facing sonar when allowed: Tools like jerkbaits, swimbaits, and minnow presentations could pay dividends — but at other times anglers will go back to traditional winter baits (lipless crankbaits, shallow cranks, finesse offerings).
Family Friendly Fan Experiences & Community Events
Guntersville welcomes fans to join the excitement in person. On January 17–18, MLF is hosting a Fan Experience & Watch Party at Nash’s at City Harbor. Bring the family, have some fun, and meet/hear from some of your favorite MLF Bass Pro Tour anglers this weekend.
Final two days of the tournament – Saturday (1/17) and Sunday (1/18)
3-4 p.m. – Watch party
- Big screen to watch the pros live on MLFNOW!
- FREE food – first 100 fans each day
- Fishing derby – gear provided or bring your own (weather permitting)
- MLF casting competition
- MLF merchandise and bait bargain bin
- Giveaways
4-5 p.m. – Live music
5-6 p.m. – Top 10 interviews & trophy ceremony
- Autographs from Bass Pro Tour finalists
- The first 50 kids 14 and under receive a free rod and reel each day
The 2026 Bass Pro Tour season starts where legends have been made — and this January chapter at Lake Guntersville looks poised to deliver big fish, big drama, and big storylines right from launch. Stay tuned to Power-Pole for recaps, pro tactics, and all the action from Day 1 through Championship Sunday!
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