Jacob Wheeler Earns 11th Bass Pro Tour Win at Suzuki Marine Stage 4

Reigning Angler of the Year catches 12 bass weighing 42-13 in final-day Championship Round on Lake Brownwood to earn top prize of $125,000

Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:34am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a bass fishing tournament, with overlapping planes of color and form representing the water, vegetation, and the fish themselves.A cubist interpretation of the intense competition and strategic maneuvering that defines the highest levels of professional bass fishing.Plano Today

Jacob Wheeler, the reigning Angler of the Year, earned his 11th career Bass Pro Tour victory at the Suzuki Marine Stage 4 event held on Lake O.H. Ivie and Lake Brownwood. Wheeler caught 12 bass weighing 42 pounds, 13 ounces on the final day to top runner-up Justin Lucas by over 10 pounds and claim the $125,000 top prize.

Why it matters

Wheeler's victory showcases his elite versatility as an angler, as he caught his fish using three different techniques across the three-day event. The win also validates the hard work Wheeler has put in to remain at the pinnacle of professional bass fishing, providing him a "jolt of confidence" that his methods are still working at the highest level.

The details

Wheeler spent the first half of his practice time on Lake Brownwood, which proved crucial as he was able to identify the fish he would ultimately catch on Championship Sunday. Despite leading the Qualifying Round on Lake O.H. Ivie, Wheeler was initially unsure if winning that round was the best strategy, but his decision to do so paid off. On the final day, Wheeler targeted spawning shad around boat docks, making repeated casts to the best spots and getting his bait as far under the docks as possible to catch the majority of his winning weight.

  • On the first day of official practice, Wheeler spent the first half of the day on Lake Brownwood.
  • On the second day of practice, Wheeler spent three more hours on Lake Brownwood after getting a feel for Lake O.H. Ivie.
  • Wheeler led after the opening period on Day 1 of the Qualifying Round on Lake O.H. Ivie.
  • Wheeler maintained his lead for all of Day 2 on Lake O.H. Ivie, with a two-day total of 78 pounds, 12 ounces.
  • On Championship Sunday, Wheeler caught 12 bass weighing 42 pounds, 13 ounces on Lake Brownwood.

The players

Jacob Wheeler

A professional bass angler from Birchwood, Tennessee who has now won 11 events on the Bass Pro Tour, including this victory at the Suzuki Marine Stage 4 on Lake Brownwood.

Justin Lucas

A professional bass angler from Guntersville, Alabama who finished as the runner-up to Wheeler at the Suzuki Marine Stage 4 event.

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What they’re saying

“I really had my doubts in this scenario – new lake, not being out here on the water yesterday. I was worried about it, and it just worked out.”

— Jacob Wheeler

“We both sort of came up about the same time. So, two young guys battling it out all the time, talking smack. We used to have like an arch-nemesis thing between him and I back in the day. It's nothing even close to that now. If I couldn't have won, I would have loved to see Lucas win.”

— Jacob Wheeler

What’s next

The next event for Bass Pro Tour anglers will be REDCREST 2026 at Table Rock Lake, April 17-19 in Springfield, Missouri.

The takeaway

Wheeler's victory at the Suzuki Marine Stage 4 event demonstrates his elite versatility as an angler, as he was able to adapt to the changing conditions and techniques required to be successful on both Lake O.H. Ivie and Lake Brownwood. The win also solidifies Wheeler's status as one of the top professional bass anglers in the world, as he continues to rack up victories and contend for the Angler of the Year title.