Evan Kung just pulled off a comeback that'd make any underdog proud. Standing on the brink of losing his spot in the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series for next year, Kung didn't just survive—he came out swinging. The Canadian angler snagged his first B.A.S.S. victory with the heaviest all-smallmouth total in the series' history. A whopping 109 pounds, 9 ounces later, he's not only secured his future in the 2027 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic, but he's also etched his name into the record books.
From Near-Collapse to Conquering Hero
Kung entered the event ranked 72nd, knowing he needed a miracle to stay in the game. And by fishing smart and keeping his focus razor-sharp, that's just what he achieved. Each day, he calculated how many pounds he needed to gather to cling onto the Elite Series and then chased the bigger bites to push himself up the leaderboard.
A Strategy That Paid Off
Let's talk strategy, because that's what set Kung apart. He switched it up depending on the conditions. Day one in the river was all about endurance, as he battled wind and waves to land his initial limit. Then, for a couple of days, Lake Ontario's productive waters pulled him in, before he circled back to the river for his final day heroics. Through it all, his focus was on smallmouth bass, targeting them in depths between 20 and 40 feet near rock structures.
"I knew I needed a certain amount to stay in the Elites," Kung explained, "I worked out and knew I could have swung for the fences, but I might not have caught them."
And some days, when the weather knocked him back, Kung leaned on his spot-finding instincts. He didn't stick just to the boulders—he fished in the spaces between, snagging bass that were roaming and less pressured by other competitors.
Techniques and Gear: Family Silver
On the water, Kung relied heavily on a prototype lure, the Great Lakes Finesse Vibra Bug. Paired with a well-crafted setup, he was able to wrestle those big bass from lake to tournament weigh-in.
- Rod and Reel: 724 Douglas X Matrix Series spinning rod with a Daiwa Exist reel.
- Line: 10-pound XBraid mainline and 8-pound XBraid fluorocarbon leader.
- Lures: Vibra Bug on a drop shot rig with a BKK No. 2 drop-shot hook.
The technical finesse of his choices meant that even as conditions varied, Kung was able to adjust and stay competitive. His approach just paid off massively in a way few could have predicted when he stepped onto the scene for this tournament.
McKinney's Near Miss and Record Snatch
While Kung was receiving accolades for his win, Trey McKinney grabbed headlines himself by setting a record for the heaviest single-day mark in B.A.S.S. history at 30-11. Though McKinney couldn't close the gap on the final day, he left the tournament not empty-handed, taking home the Angler of the Year title at just 21 years of age—a record in itself.
McKinney's secret spot off Lake Ontario and drop shot rigging techniques proved nearly unstoppable across most of the event. Yet, in the end, it was Kung's consistent execution and strategic play that capped the effort of a lifetime.
Final Thoughts: Fish Tales Worth Telling
This tournament solidified Kung’s place in pro bass fishing lore. It's a reminder that fortune favors the brave—or at least the well-prepared and adaptable. With this win, Kung has not only bought himself another season on the series but has vaulted himself into discussions of who to watch as the 2027 events roll out. McKinney and his new record cast their own spotlight, reminding everyone that even second place can still turn heads. Anglers like Tucker Smith and other competitors round out a fiercely competitive field that promises more drama and triumph in the coming seasons.
