September 13 was the Shoals Youth Bassmasters final tournament for the 2025 Tournament Trail. Forty-six young anglers took to the water of Wheeler Lake, launching from the First Creek ramp. The final event of 2025 resulted in 62.04 total pounds of bass being weighed in by the tournament award winners of all three age divisions.
The last event of each tournament year includes prizes, total tournament awards, and a picnic for all in attendance.
Deacon Hagan topped all competitors for lunker honors with a 4.56 lb. Largemouth. Deacon’s total bag of 6.84 lbs. took first place in the 10-and-under category. The 11- to 15-year-old age division was won by Wheeler Mason, who led his division with 10.92 pounds of bass. Kalyn Anderson got the first-place trophy for the 16 to 18-year-olds with a bag of 4.82 lbs.
Age division trophy winners were:
10 and Under
1st Place-Deacon Hagan 6.84 lbs.
2nd Place-Jacob Weir 5.55 lbs.
3rd Place-Hank Rumbaugh 5.11 lbs.
4th Place-Tanner Smith 4.44 lbs.
The division’s total weight was 21.94 pounds of bass.
11 to 15 Ages
1st Place-Wheeler Mason 10.92 lbs.
2nd Place-Pearson Ayers 7.98 lbs.
3rd Place-Cale Burroughs 6.26 lbs.
4th Place-Jace Smith 5.87 lbs.
The division’s total weight was 31.03 pounds.
16 to 18 Ages
1st Place-Kalyn Anderson 4.82 lbs.
2nd Place-Cam Andrews 4.25 lbs.
The division’s total weight was 9.07 pounds.
Lunker
Deacon Hagan-4.56 lb. largemouth
TOTAL TROPHY WINNER’S WEIGHT 62.04 lbs.
Seventy-seven photos of the event are available for viewing and download at the photo album at Southern Fishing News.
Awards for the 2025 season were also presented at the picnic.
Hadley Brewer, 10 and Under Division, was presented the Angler of the Year award for his total of 42.76 lbs. Hadley received a certificate for an UpCoast Custom Rod, a $50.00 gift certificate from Bass Pro Shop, and an AOY plaque from Compu-Tech. Jacob Weiras was the runner-up with 41.52 lbs. Jacob received a gift certificate for $25.00 from Shoals Outdoor Sports.
In the 11 to 15 Age Division, the Angler of the Year award went to Hunter Hardy with a total for the year of 38.31 lbs. Hunter received a certificate for an UpCoast Custom Rod, a $50.00 gift certificate from Bass Pro Shop, and an AOY (Angler Of The Year) plaque from Compu-Tech. Runner-up was Levi Hicks for his annual total of 30.91 lbs. Levi received a gift certificate for $25.00 from Shoals Outdoor Sports.
Cam Andrews took the top spot in the AOL race in the 11-15 year olds with 39.39 lbs. Cam received a certificate for an UpCoast Custom Rod, a $50.00 gift certificate from Bass Pro Shop, and an AOY plaque from Compu-Tech. Runner-up was Jake Boyd with 12.35 lbs. Jake received a gift certificate for $25.00 from Shoals Outdoor Sports
The largest bass honors went to Hadley Brewer, who brought in a big 5.73 lb. lunker during the tournament year. Hadley received a $50.00 Bass Pro Shop gift certificate.
Shoals Youth Bassmaster Director Richard Laxson said, “The 2025 Tournament Trail was great. We had 106 youth in the club. The year-end picnic was also great. Many thanks to all the families, friends, sponsors, and young anglers for making this an awesome year. Special thanks to Linda, Jennifer, Kenny Laxson, Danny, Sandra, Fisher Heard, and Chuck, Kathy Gibson, Ernie, and Renee Darracott, Brittney Hicks Family, Ronnie McDonald, and many more for all they do and did.”
See you in 2026!
{Editor Note—And a big thanks to Richard Laxson for all the years he has dedicated to the Shoals Youth Bassmasters and young bass anglers.}
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