Wiggins is king of the world

Written by

Steve Wright

Granted, it’s early, but there has never been an angler atop the B.A.S.S. world like Jesse Wiggins is right now. For instance, not only is he leading his first-ever Elite Series tournament, he’s therefore leading in Angler of the Year points and Rookie of the Year points, though they aren’t officially awarded until the tournament’s conclusion.

With his win in the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open at the Harris Chain last month, he qualified for the 2018 Bassmaster Classic. So he’s the first angler in B.A.S.S. history to have qualified for two Classics before fishing in his first. Wiggins qualified for the ’17 Classic with his Open win at Smith Lake last year. Oh, Wiggins is leading the 2017 Southern Open points race as well.

Here’s a look at the 27-year-old Cullman, Ala., resident’s eight-tournament B.A.S.S. career:

2012

56th – Southern Open #3, Smith Lake, Ala.
2014

15th – Southern Open #1, Lake Toho,Fla.

6th – Southern Open #2, Smith Lake, Ala.

37th – Southern Open #3, Lake Norman, N.C.

2016

36th – Southern Open #1, Kissimmee Chain, Fla.

1st – Southern Open #2, Smith Lake, Ala.

11th – Southern Open #3, Douglas Lake, Tenn.
2017

1st – Southern Open #1, Harris Chain, Fla.

??? – Elite Series #1, Cherokee Lake, Tenn.