A Star is Born in the Angling World
Well, wouldn't you know it, Trey McKinney's gone and made history by snatching the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title, becoming the youngest guy to ever pull it off. This twenty-one-year-old dynamo from Carbondale, Illinois showed up big time this season, scoring a total of 735 points and edging out Cory Johnston. And all it took was a second-place finish at the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at the St. Lawrence River.
Overcoming the Johnston Brothers' Stronghold
Here's the kicker: he nearly had himself a déjà vu moment with the Johnston brothers who’ve been a thorn in his side. For the last two years, he finished runner-up behind Chris Johnston. Cory, Chris's older brother, was all set to perpetuate the family dominance on his home waters, but McKinney flipped the script. The battle was tight, just two measly points separating them going into this last event.
Trey didn’t just survive the pressure; he thrived under it. Talk about a high-wire act on the angling stage—metaphorically and literally, with him landing that crucial 6-pounder late in the final day. And with it, McKinney earned his second Century Belt during a tumultuous season where nothing came easy.
The Climb to the Top
Now let’s chew over the nitty-gritty of his season. McKinney kicked things off with a ninth-place finish at Lake Guntersville—nothing to sneeze at. From there, he racked up decent standings: 20th at Lake Martin, 15th at Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, over to 10th at the Arkansas River, and brought it home with 5th at Lake Murray. His performance consistently pinned him near the top of the pack.
"You never really know the Lord's plan, but I think it was a blessing to win it in the new format," said McKinney about the Adaptive Series adjustments. "There's really not much anyone can say ever again."
Not that it was all smooth sailing—life’s a bumpy road, truth be told. At Santee Cooper, things fell apart—he came dead last in 90th place, and Johnston took the lead. But McKinney didn’t pack it in.
Clutch Comeback at Pasquotank
Regaining lost ground, McKinney’s 14-2 performance at the Pasquotank River signaled a turnaround, dragging him back to a commanding position with an 11th place finish. An extra bit of luck carrying him through? Maybe. But there's grit behind those numbers, not just chance.
It sharpened his focus heading into the crunch time at Lake Champlain and finally the climactic showdown at the St. Lawrence River. Tension was thicker than hot asphalt on a July day—McKinney was jittery, hands shaking, but that nerves only fuel his drive. He couldn't reel in the trophy fish 'til the very end, but when he did land a 6-pounder, he flipped the whole script.
A Young Legend with More to Prove
Tallying it all up, McKinney racked up career earnings above $900,000—and the $100,000 he pocketed as Angler of the Year is just a cherry on top. You can pencil his name in with the greats, but he ain't resting on laurels. "When they quit biting is when I quit catching," McKinney summed it up with grit beneath that unassuming humility. A true predator at the water’s edge.
To cement the story, take a look down the roster of runners-up. Cory Johnston notched 731 points, walking away with a $50,000 bonus. Drew Cook came in third with 674 points, but compared to McKinney, the gap widens—these guys are trailing a new trailblazer.
The bottom line here? Trey McKinney's set a benchmark that’s now the gold standard. The kid with the sideways cap and unwavering drive is roaring through the B.A.S.S. ranks, leaving competitors to peer at the horizon and wonder who's the real fish in their pond.
