Fishing News
Yamaha Pro Trey McKinney Captures Bassmaster® Elite Win on Lake Fork
Posted 3/4/2024
YANTIS, Texas, March 4, 2024 — Rookie Yamaha pro angler Trey McKinney won the Bassmaster Elite on Lake Fork with a four-day total of 130 pounds, 15 ounces – the fourth highest weight ever caught during an elite tournament. The 19-year-old Illinois native prevailed during one of the most productive tournaments in competitive bass fishing and became the youngest winner in Elite history. He also came within 1 pound 9 ounces of the all-time total weight for a four-day B.A.S.S. event.
Each of the 10 Elites who made the final Phoenix Boats Cutline became members of the Century Club, meaning they caught more than 100 pounds of bass over four days. It was only the second time in history that has happened, with the historic 2008 tournament on Falcon as the only comparison.
“This is crazy to even be up here, much less come that close to setting the all-time tournament record,” McKinney said. “To think, that one more fish and I could have had it. I lost a 7 1/2-pounder yesterday that would have given me 33 pounds and enough weight to break it.
“But I couldn’t be happier. This lake is just awesome. It was stressful and I had adrenaline. I was really spinning out today when I had 28 pounds and didn’t know if I had enough to win. I knew I had to have more.”
A total of 12 competitors surpassed the 100-pound mark in the Falcon event, which featured a final-day cut of 12 instead of 10. Yamaha pros represented six of the top 10 anglers competing on Sunday. In addition to McKinney’s first place finish, Justin Hamner took 3rd (with an 11 pound, 7 ounce Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day and tournament), Tyler Williams took 4th, Justin Atkins took 5th, Wesley Gore took 7th and Kyle Patrick took 9th.
The tournament on Lake Fork was only McKinney’s second since qualifying for the Elite Series. The rookie caught more than 30 pounds each day (the only angler to do so during the week), posting totals of 33-11, 33-10 and 30-0 before closing with another 33-10 limit to clinch the win on Championship Sunday.
Lake Fork has now produced 19 Century Club members, passing Falcon (15) for most in B.A.S.S. history.
After his victory, McKinney tied for the AOY lead with 195 points. Yamaha pro Patrick Walters of South Carolina follows closely with 194 points.
McKinney earned an extra $4,000 for the Yamaha Power Pay contingency award while Williams earned a $2,500 bonus.
Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Engine Systems, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,000 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA®’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.
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This document contains many of Yamaha's valuable trademarks. It may also contain trademarks belonging to other companies. Any references to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only and are not intended to be an endorsement.
Each of the 10 Elites who made the final Phoenix Boats Cutline became members of the Century Club, meaning they caught more than 100 pounds of bass over four days. It was only the second time in history that has happened, with the historic 2008 tournament on Falcon as the only comparison.
“This is crazy to even be up here, much less come that close to setting the all-time tournament record,” McKinney said. “To think, that one more fish and I could have had it. I lost a 7 1/2-pounder yesterday that would have given me 33 pounds and enough weight to break it.
“But I couldn’t be happier. This lake is just awesome. It was stressful and I had adrenaline. I was really spinning out today when I had 28 pounds and didn’t know if I had enough to win. I knew I had to have more.”
A total of 12 competitors surpassed the 100-pound mark in the Falcon event, which featured a final-day cut of 12 instead of 10. Yamaha pros represented six of the top 10 anglers competing on Sunday. In addition to McKinney’s first place finish, Justin Hamner took 3rd (with an 11 pound, 7 ounce Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day and tournament), Tyler Williams took 4th, Justin Atkins took 5th, Wesley Gore took 7th and Kyle Patrick took 9th.
The tournament on Lake Fork was only McKinney’s second since qualifying for the Elite Series. The rookie caught more than 30 pounds each day (the only angler to do so during the week), posting totals of 33-11, 33-10 and 30-0 before closing with another 33-10 limit to clinch the win on Championship Sunday.
Lake Fork has now produced 19 Century Club members, passing Falcon (15) for most in B.A.S.S. history.
After his victory, McKinney tied for the AOY lead with 195 points. Yamaha pro Patrick Walters of South Carolina follows closely with 194 points.
McKinney earned an extra $4,000 for the Yamaha Power Pay contingency award while Williams earned a $2,500 bonus.
Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Engine Systems, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,000 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA®’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.
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This document contains many of Yamaha's valuable trademarks. It may also contain trademarks belonging to other companies. Any references to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only and are not intended to be an endorsement.