Bass Pro Tour Hits Texas

This week's Bass Pro Tour event introduces a new challenge for the 51-angler field, as it's the first time the tour has made a stop at Lake Whitney and Lake Waco. This lack of history for most competitors puts a spotlight on Waco natives Alton Jones and his son, Alton Jones Jr., who will be sleeping in their own beds during a top-level professional event for the first time in their careers. The tournament's unique format will test the anglers' versatility. The initial two qualifying rounds will be held on Lake Whitney, a clearer, deeper highland reservoir known for its rockier terrain and potential for a mixed bag of largemouth and smallmouth bass. Anglers who advance will then shift to the shallower, more stained waters of Lake Waco for the Knockout and Championship rounds, meaning what works on day one might not work on the final day. While this is a new venue for the Bass Pro Tour, some anglers have seen these waters before in a different format. A handful of current competitors, including Ott DeFoe, Jeff Sprague, and Wesley Strader, participated in the 2021 MLF Heritage Cup, which utilized both lakes. DeFoe, who has a strong track record in Texas with three of his five Bass Pro Tour wins occurring in the state, won that event. Recent fishing reports suggest that anglers will be facing pre-spawn conditions on both lakes. Water temperatures on Lake Whitney were recently reported in the mid-50s, with largemouth bass being caught on crankbaits along windy banks. On Lake Waco, the water is slightly warmer in the low 60s, and crappie are reportedly in their pre-spawn staging patterns, an indication that bass are likely not far behind in their move to shallower waters. Coming into Stage Three, the race for the 2026 Fishing Clash Angler of the Year is tight. Jacob Walker currently leads the standings with 158 points, closely followed by Banks Shaw with 153 points. Perennial favorite and four-time Angler of the Year Jacob Wheeler sits in third place with 151 points, looking to gain ground in Texas. This season marks a significant change for the Bass Pro Tour, with the field reduced to a more exclusive 51 anglers. This smaller field is part of a two-year overhaul designed to increase the prominence of each angler. The tour has also adjusted its payout structure for 2026, with the winner of this event taking home $125,000.