Justin Lucas Wins 2026 Bass Pro Tour Suzuki Marine Stage 7 Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches

Mitchell Forde, Bass Pro Tour Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio –– After six years and so many high finishes without a tour-level victory, Justin Lucas started to doubt whether he would ever hoist another trophy. Turns out, all he needed to do was return to the site of his last national win.

Prior to Suzuki Marine Stage 7 Presented by B&W Trailer Hitches, the last time a national MLF trail visited Lake Erie was the 2020 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Super Tournament. That also marked Lucas’ last victory – he edged Jacob Wheeler by 1 ounce.

This week, the final standings once again read Lucas first, Wheeler second. But Lucas didn’t allow for near as much suspense.

Putting together one of the most impressive days of smallmouth fishing you’ll ever see in terms of both quantity and quality, Lucas racked up 98 pounds, 11 ounces on 25 scorable bass during Sunday’s Championship Round. He boated six smallmouth over 5 pounds, including the Berkley Big Bass of the day and the event – a 6-11. He topped SCORETRACKER® for nearly every minute, ultimately besting Wheeler by 19-6. 

In the moments after lines out, he struggled to wrap his mind around what had just transpired.

“I feel like I’ve been in a dream for the last hour and a half,” Lucas said. “Just big ones, just biting.” 

Lucas’ second career Bass Pro Tour victory earned him $125,000 and moved him up to third in the final Fishing Clash Angler of the Year standings. Here’s how the Top 10 pros finished the Championship Round:

1. Justin Lucas – 98-11 (25)

2. Jacob Wheeler – 79-7 (27)

3. Michael Neal – 68-7 (24)

4. Cole Floyd – 64-9 (25)

5. Brent Ehrler – 53-14 (17)

6. Jeff Sprague – 34-0 (11)

7. Marshall Hughes – 33-2 (10)

8. Ott DeFoe – 30-0 (9)

9. Jesse Wiggins – 22-3 (7)

10. Zack Birge – 20-12 (6)

Complete results

2020 FLW Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Super Tournaments Lake Chickamauga Day 3: Wheeler Regains Leads with 72-06lbs!

Wheeler's 25-12lb limit secures lead
by Sean Ostruszka

FLW PRESS RELEASE

Despite culling error and 2lb penalty,
Wheeler still holds 4lb lead
(Photo: FLW)

He may be the best in the sport right now. He’s on his home waters. And he’s got a near 5-pound lead going into the final day after crushing the biggest bag of the tournament, unofficially.

Can anyone catch Jacob Wheeler?

If today is any indication, the only thing that may stop him from winning the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Super Tournament on Lake Chickamauga is himself. Wheeler caught fish early and often, and he sent a jolt through the live coverage when he cracked a 10-pounder – only to give back two of those pounds due to a penalty for making a cast with six fish in the box. Still, his 25-12 official weight for the day was by far the biggest bag of the day, and his 72-6 overall weight has set him up for his second major victory on Chickamauga.

“Going out there today, I knew I had my work cut out for me,” says Wheeler. “These guys are unbelievable; great fisherman. I knew I needed a big bag, and I was very fortunate to catch that big fish and anchor that bag.”

After watching some giant bags get brought in by Jason Reyes and Cole Floyd on Wednesday, Wheeler mentions that in order for him to make a run at winning this event, he’d have to do the same at least once over the final two days. He didn’t waste much time.