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:
- Pake South (Winnsboro, Texas): $500,000, 13 lbs. 7 oz., four fish
- Wesley Strader (Spring City, Tenn.): $300,000, 11 lbs. 2 oz., five fish
- Trey McKinney (Carbondale, Ill.): $200,000, 11 lbs. 0 oz., five fish
- Michael Neal (Dayton, Tenn.): $100,000, 10 lbs. 10 oz., five fish
Robertson's weight and fish count are from Championship Saturday only.
Team Stars beats Team Stripes for The Champions Cup
Organizers split the field into "Team Stripes" and "Team Stars." Team Stars won "The Champions Cup" and bragging rights on Friday night. Ten of its anglers qualified for Championship Saturday, against five from Team Stripes.
Robertson calls the event the Super Bowl of bass fishing
Robertson said the $1.25 million would "drastically change" his life. He called the event "the Super Bowl of bass fishing," adding that he knows because he has stood on the Super Bowl stage. WBE CEO and founder Brian Bird thanked the field, the fans and Nashville for supporting the event.
Randy Moss and Riley Green add star power
Opening Ceremonies took place Wednesday evening with WBE ambassador and NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss, legendary angler Bill Dance and two-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year Gerald Swindle. On Friday night, country star Riley Green headlined "WBE Concert 250" at The Pinnacle in Nashville, with Randy Houser opening. Lee Greenwood and Trace Adkins also performed during the tournament.
Takahiro Omori of Tokyo finished 11th with three fish at 6 lbs. 2 oz. Chris Johnston of Peterborough, Ontario, placed 13th with two fish at 3 lbs. 9 oz.