Fishing News
Yamaha/Skeeter Pro Angler Trey McKinney is the 2024 Bassmaster® Rookie of the Year
Posted 8/19/2024
WADDINGTON, N.Y., August 19, 2024 — Yamaha/Skeeter Pro Angler Trey McKinney captured the 2024 Bassmaster® Rookie of the Year title during the final Elite Series tournament on the St. Lawrence River. The 19-year-old from Carbondale, Ill., is the youngest ROY winner in the history of the Elite Series, which began in 2006. When he won on Lake Fork in February in 2024 with 130 pounds, 15 ounces, McKinney also became the youngest angler to win an Elite Series tournament.
“Highs, lows, we’ve seen everything this year,” McKinney said. “It means so much, especially with this rookie class.”
McKinney leads an exceptional rookie class, which included Yamaha Pro, John Garrett of Union City, Tenn., who was just behind McKinney in the final ROY standings, as well as Yamaha Pros Wesley Gore, Tyler Williams, Robert Gee, J.T. Thompkins, and Kyle Patrick. All nine rookies who qualified through the 2023 Bassmaster Opens EQ Series finished in 28th place and above, easily qualifying them to compete in the 2025 Bassmaster Classic.
Overall, the Yamaha Pro Team captured six wins during the 2024 Bassmaster Elite season. During the final event on the St. Lawrence River, the Yamaha Pros claimed eight of the top ten spots. Robert Gee finished second with 100 pounds, 7 ounces; Trey McKinney third with 98 pounds, 9 ounces; Jordan Lee fifth with 98 pounds; Shane LeHew sixth with 92 pounds, 13 ounces; Drew Benton seventh with 91 pounds, 12 ounces; Patrick Walters eight with 89 pounds, 14 ounces; Caleb Sumralll ninth with 87 pounds, 3 ounces; and Carl Jocumsen tenth with 83 pounds, 10 ounces.
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.
REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear.
© 2024 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.
“Highs, lows, we’ve seen everything this year,” McKinney said. “It means so much, especially with this rookie class.”
McKinney leads an exceptional rookie class, which included Yamaha Pro, John Garrett of Union City, Tenn., who was just behind McKinney in the final ROY standings, as well as Yamaha Pros Wesley Gore, Tyler Williams, Robert Gee, J.T. Thompkins, and Kyle Patrick. All nine rookies who qualified through the 2023 Bassmaster Opens EQ Series finished in 28th place and above, easily qualifying them to compete in the 2025 Bassmaster Classic.
Overall, the Yamaha Pro Team captured six wins during the 2024 Bassmaster Elite season. During the final event on the St. Lawrence River, the Yamaha Pros claimed eight of the top ten spots. Robert Gee finished second with 100 pounds, 7 ounces; Trey McKinney third with 98 pounds, 9 ounces; Jordan Lee fifth with 98 pounds; Shane LeHew sixth with 92 pounds, 13 ounces; Drew Benton seventh with 91 pounds, 12 ounces; Patrick Walters eight with 89 pounds, 14 ounces; Caleb Sumralll ninth with 87 pounds, 3 ounces; and Carl Jocumsen tenth with 83 pounds, 10 ounces.
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.
###
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.
REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear.
© 2024 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.