Canadians Cory Johnston 5th & Chris Johnston 9th
By Andrew Canulette
Easton dominates Classic. (Photo: Grant Moxley/BASS)
BASS Press Release
FORT WORTH, Texas — Nineteen months ago,
Easton Fothergill was lying on a gurney in an Alabama hospital, awaiting
surgery to remove an infected abscess from his brain. Sunday afternoon, in
front of thousands of fans at Dickies Arena, Fothergill stood tall as champion
of the
2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under ArmourFothergill,
a 22-year-old native of Grand Rapids, Minn., finished the three-day event on
Lake Ray Roberts with a total of 15 bass for 76 pounds, 15 ounces. It was the
biggest winning weight in the 55-year history of the most prestigious fishing
tournament in the world and was exactly 8 1/2 pounds more than the nearest
competitor in the field of 56 anglers. Fothergill is also the second-youngest
champion in Bassmaster Classic history (only
Stanley Mitchell who won the 1981 Classic at 21 was younger.)
For most anglers, the Ray Scott Trophy and a $300,000 check
are the biggest prizes to accompany a Classic victory. But for Fothergill, just
being able to compete in the Classic was the ultimate prize. He said every
feeling was heightened given his very real brush with mortality less than two
years ago.
“It’s indescribable, the trajectory of my life since that first bad moment,” Fothergill said. “Everything has come true that I’ve ever wanted. It’s pretty crazy.”
