Matt Robertson Wins Record $1.25M at Inaugural Bass Championship
Nashville, Tenn. – October 31, 2026 -- Matt Robertson of Kuttawa, Kentucky, won $1.25 million at World Bass Enterprises' inaugural "The Champions" tournament, the biggest payout ever awarded to a bass fishing tournament winner. He landed five fish weighing 20 lbs. 2 oz. on the final day.
A $3.25 million purse sets a new bass fishing record
The event offered a record $3.25 million purse. It drew 60 of the world's top anglers plus two "Average Joes" to Old Hickory Lake at Sanders Ferry Park, just outside Nashville. The field came from the United States, Canada and Japan. Competition ran three days and ended with a showdown of the top 15 anglers on Championship Saturday.
Pake South takes $500,000 for second place
Robertson's 20 lbs. 2 oz. was well clear of the rest of the top five: