Evan Kung wins Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River as nine anglers claim Century Belts in record smallmouth event
Nine anglers crossed the 100-pound mark at the Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River, the most Century Belts ever awarded at a single smallmouth event in Bassmaster history, as Evan Kung claimed the tournament title with a four-day total of 109 pounds, 9 ounces. Kung came from a pound and a half back entering the final day, weighed in a bag of 27-12, and overtook overnight leader Trey McKinney in the tournament's final minutes.
Key takeaways
- Evan Kung won the Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River with a four-day total of 109 pounds, 9 ounces.
- Nine anglers surpassed 100 pounds, the most Century Belts ever awarded at a single smallmouth event in Bassmaster history.
- Kung entered the final day a pound and a half behind and overtook overnight leader Trey McKinney with a 27-12 bag in the final minutes.
- Kung also won the Phoenix Boats Big Bass award with a 6-pound, 13-ounce fish and fished roughly 95% drop shot through the week.
- Trey McKinney finished second at 107-9 and earned the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.
Nine anglers crossed the 100-pound mark at the Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River, the most Century Belts ever awarded at a single smallmouth event in Bassmaster history, as Evan Kung claimed the tournament title with a four-day total of 109 pounds, 9 ounces. Kung came from a pound and a half back entering the final day, weighed in a bag of 27-12, and overtook overnight leader Trey McKinney in the tournament's final minutes.
Kung entered the St. Lawrence needing a strong finish just to retain his Bassmaster Elite Series card. He delivered four days of consistent fishing, won the Phoenix Boats Big Bass award with a 6-pound, 13-ounce fish, and left Clayton with the tournament title. "I knew every day going in what I needed to catch just to stay in the Elites," Kung said. "Once I had that locked up, I went out today wanting the Century Belt. Once I had that, I just went looking for big ones."
His pattern ran roughly 95% drop shot through the week, including fish taken on a Great Lakes Finesse prototype bait not yet available to market. On the final day, Kung spent three hours on the lake without a catch, returned to the river, and landed the big bass in the last 20 minutes. He credited sponsors, friends, his mother, and his girlfriend's family for traveling to Clayton. "It's extra special to have them all here to see it," he said.
The leaderboard
McKinney needed 26-8 on the final day to reclaim the lead after Kung weighed in first. He fell two pounds short, finishing second at 107-9, and left Clayton with the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. Tucker Smith placed third at 107-1 and Cory Johnston fourth at 106-7.
Cole Sands, a Tennessee pro who spent a month and a half scouting the St. Lawrence before the event, finished fifth at 105-10. He kept to the river rather than the lake, reading current with a drop shot and minnow bait in an approach he described as close to trout fishing. "I wanted one of those Century Belts so bad for so long, and I finally got one," Sands said.
Brandon Cobb (103-14), JT Thompkins (103-0), Bryant Smith (101-3), and Fisher Anaya (100-5) completed the Century Club. Anaya secured his belt on the final cast of the week. Easton Fothergill finished tenth at 99-8, the only top-10 finisher to miss the mark.