With a three-day total of 42 pounds, 7 ounces, Kaden Buchmann wins the 2026 Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Norfork Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops.
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. — Kaden Buchmann followed the same script that had him headlining the first two days’ weigh-ins for the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Norfork Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops, but only Act 1 brought the applause.
Fortunately, that’s all the Troutman, N.C., pro needed to close out a wire-to-wire win with a three-day total of 42 pounds, 7 ounces.
“This is incredible,” Buchmann said. “I absolutely did not think I had it.”
Buchmann set the early mark with a Day 1 leading limit of 16-7 and held the top spot after adding a second-round bag that went 14 even. Buchmann found Championship Friday less generous, but his 12-pound limit allowed him to edge Cody Stahl by a margin of 1-14.
For his efforts, Buchmann won the top prize of $71,317. He also received an invitation to fish the 2027 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, March 19-21 at Lake Hartwell.
