Chris Zaldain Wins 2015 BASS All-Star Event!

Ten Anglers Get Bounced from Classic!

By Thomas Allen

bass press release 

DOOR COUNTY, Wis. — Thrills and heartbreaks were center stage on Sunday at the 2015 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship at Sturgeon Bay, Wis. Titles were earned, goals became reality and dreams turned to dust at the final Bassmaster Elite Series event of the year.

Chris wins with Megabass swim bait.
(Photo: BASS)

Aaron Martens of Leeds, Ala., was crowned 2015 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year and Brent Ehrler of Newport Beach, Calif., wrapped up a very dominant freshman year on the Elite Series and was named Rookie of the Year.

Martens collected $100,000 for winning Angler of the Year, his third title. Justin Lucas finished second in the season-long points race and earned $55,000, while Dean Rojas, third in points, earned $45,000

Heartbreak is a big part of this sport, but it is especially pertinent at the AOY Championship. Out of the Top 50, only 40 would earn a berth into the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro on Oklahoma’s famed Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees.

Following Thursday’s weigh-in, the top 24 anglers locked in their positions to fish in the Classic next March, but Classic cutoff is 40th place, meaning 10 anglers would return home disappointed.