Bass Don't Have Eyelids

April 19, 2026 • Mitchell Forde • Bass Pro Tour

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — With 2 1/2 hours left to fish in Bass Pro Shops REDCREST Presented by Mercury & Lowrance, Jacob Wheeler sat on the front deck of his bass boat and made a phone call.

Wheeler combined a shallow largemouth bite with targeting spawning smallmouth. Photo by Rob Matsuura

Written by David A. Brown – Photography by Andy Crawford, Grant Moxley and Chase Sansom

With a four-day total of 72 pounds, 4 ounces, Jacob Foutz takes the win at the Arkansas River! Foutz added 14 pounds, 10 ounces, on the final day to win by over 6 pounds and claim his first blue trophy at the 2026 Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River!

Here’s a composite list of Southern Fishing News’ Student Angler Class Series Posts, all in one list for you with the appropriate links.

The Shoals Youth Bassmasters Trail has announced its 2026 tournament schedule for youth 10 and under to age 18.

EGO® Fishing shares details of widely accepted standards for sustainable catch-and-release

Photo courtesy of DAIWA

Mitchell Forde • Bass Pro Tour

Throughout the first two days of Suzuki Marine Stage 4 Presented by Plano, Jacob Wheeler worried that every scorable bass he caught hampered his chances of winning his 11th Bass Pro Tour event.

The key to Wheeler’s success was making multiple casts to the best spots and getting his bait as far under the docks as possible. Photo by Tyler Brinks

Written by David A. Brown – Photography by Andy Crawford

COLUMBUS, Miss. — Despite his 30-plus years of tournament fishing, Jason Christie was delighted to admit he was wrong about the Mountain Dew Bassmaster Elite at Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.

A member of our audience recently provided correspondence between himself and the fishing authorities in Tennessee. The narrative explains his position regarding the impact of the Bill Dance Giant Bass Open [March 21-22] on fish mortality and the response of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).