Noah Winslow’s week on the Mississippi River in La Crosse will be remembered for more than just another strong finish. It marked a turning point. It was a breakout moment blending performance, preparation and timely decisions that paid off in a big way. By finishing as the highest-qualified Yamaha angler in the field at the 2025 BASS Nation National Championship, Winslow captured the Yamaha Power Pay contingency prize and walked away with a $5,000 bonus to go along with a career-defining tournament.
Winslow’s second-place finish and his Power Pay payday on the storied Mississippi River was validation that the young angler has what it takes to compete at the next level. Fishing against a stacked field on a dynamic fishery known for current, changing water levels and endless decision-making, the 26-year-old Connecticut pro leaned into his strengths and trusted his instincts.
“I caught them all on the main river and channel-oriented spots,” Winslow said. “I fished on the outside of eel grass areas a good bit. I made a point to target a lot of hard cover and rock.”
That simple, straightforward approach is emblematic of Winslow’s style. He doesn’t overcomplicate things. Instead, he focuses on where fish live and how they feed, especially in river systems where positioning matters more than finding a school. The bass told him exactly what they wanted as the tournament unfolded.
“They were really eating bluegills, and I ended up catching them all on a plastic free rig in 2 to 5 feet of water.”
The free rig, a relatively simple yet highly effective presentation, was the key to triggering bites in the Mississippi’s rolling current. Winslow explained how the setup helped him present his bait more naturally in moving water.
“A free rig is essentially a drop shot sinker on your line that can slide up and down freely. It lets your plastic look much more natural in current. I mainly used a 1/8- or 3/16-ounce weight on the Mississippi.”
That attention to detail allowed Winslow to maximize every productive stretch of river. Each bite mattered and by the final day, his consistency propelled him to near the top.
“I finished second in this tournament and qualified for the 2026 Bassmaster Classic®… it was a dream come true.”
For Winslow, the significance of that statement can’t be overstated. The Bassmaster Classic® is the dream, the stage every angler imagines when they first pick up a rod. For someone who grew up far from the traditional bass fishing hotbeds, the opportunity feels even bigger.
“I’m 26 and have never fished a Classic before. I’m so excited for the overall experience of the Classic. Not many people from my neck of the woods in Connecticut get the chance to go.”
Despite the magnitude of what lies ahead, Winslow isn’t allowing the moment to overwhelm him.
“It might be a little intimidating at first, but I don’t get caught up in all of that.”
Instead, he’s already thinking about how he’ll approach the biggest event of his career with aggression and confidence.
“I’m going to fish super hard and take gambles because no one remembers who finished in second place.”
That mindset mirrors how he approached La Crosse, where commitment and execution carried him to both a podium finish and being the highest finishing angler for Yamaha Power Pay payout. Winslow has been loyal to Yamaha for years and his confidence in the equipment runs deep.
“I’ve run a Yamaha for a long time. I’ve genuinely never had a single problem. I could never not run one at this point. From big water on Champlain to backwaters on the Mississippi, my outboard has been flawless.”
That reliability mattered on the Mississippi River, where long runs, shallow backwaters and unpredictable conditions demand an engine that performs without question. Perhaps the most surprising part of the week came after the weigh-in, when Winslow realized just how much the contingency bonus would be worth.
“I didn’t realize the Power Pay check would be that much so I was super pumped about it. I actually signed up right before the tournament and I’m so glad I did!”
It was a reminder that preparation isn’t only about tackle and practice. Sometimes it’s about taking advantage of opportunities off the water as well. For Noah Winslow, La Crosse delivered confidence, cash and a ticket to the Bassmaster Classic®. And if his week on the Mississippi River was any indication, it’s only the beginning.
