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Major League Fishing Returns to Texas Lakes Next Weekend
Suzuki Marine Stage 4 Presented by Plano to feature top bass anglers competing on O.H. Ivie and Lake Brownwood
Mar. 18, 2026 at 9:27pm
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The Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour returns to Texas next week, March 26-29, for the Suzuki Marine Stage 4 Presented by Plano tournament. The event will feature 51 of the world's top professional anglers competing for a $125,000 top prize and their share of a $600,000 purse across the storied waters of O.H. Ivie and Lake Brownwood.
Why it matters
This marks the first-ever Bass Pro Tour visit to these Lone Star fisheries, which are known for their trophy bass potential. The event will showcase the community of Early, Texas, and its commitment to outdoor recreation, while also positioning the area as a premier destination for anglers and fishing enthusiasts.
The details
Competition will unfold under MLF's catch, weigh, immediate-release format, where every bass over the 2-pound minimum counts. The Qualifying Round will take place on O.H. Ivie, which has a reputation as a trophy bass factory, while the Knockout and Championship Rounds will be held on the more traditional Lake Brownwood, known for its abundance of shoreline cover and higher catch rates.
- The tournament will take place from March 26-29, 2026.
- The Qualifying Round will be held on Thursday and Friday, March 26-27.
- The Knockout Round will be on Saturday, March 28, on Lake Brownwood.
- The Championship Round will be on Sunday, March 29, also on Lake Brownwood.
The players
Jacob Wheeler
The reigning Bass Pro Tour Angler of the Year and a 10-time tour winner.
Dustin Connell
The back-to-back REDCREST champion.
Zack Birge
An established winner and fan favorite on the Bass Pro Tour.
Mitchell Robinson
A rookie who has made an early impact on the Bass Pro Tour stage.
Jeff Sprague
A Wills Point, Texas pro who won the 2024 MLF Fishing Clash Team Series Patriot Cup on these fisheries.
What they’re saying
“We are excited to welcome Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour to Early, Texas, and to showcase the incredible fishing opportunities that O.H. Ivie and Lake Brownwood have to offer.”
— Denise Hudson-Brian, Tourism Director at Visit Early
“O.H. Ivie didn't really show its truest potential in the fall, but it still showed the number of fish that can be caught in that fishery. I look forward to it being a different story entirely next week.”
— Jeff Sprague
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This event highlights Early, Texas, as a premier destination for anglers, showcasing the area's commitment to outdoor recreation and the potential of its fisheries to produce trophy bass and high-stakes competition.
