The last Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series event of the season is finally here. As always, it’s been a roller coaster of a season and it call comes down to the Pro-Guide Batteries Bassmaster Elite at Mississippi River.
I have no problem with ending the season at a body of water like the St. Lawrence River or any other smallmouth fishery, but I will say I do prefer to end the season at a place like the Mississippi River for a variety of reasons. The Upper Mississippi River provides an extremely diverse playing field with both largemouth and smallmouth in play and the weights are always extremely tight.
This always makes for a down to the wire type finish for the event and all the points races that come with the final event of the year – Progressive Bassmaster AOY, Dakota Lithium Rookie of the Year, qualifying for the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic and of course requalifying for the 2026 Elite Series. Anglers have to be on their A-game from start to finish and each ounce is crucial.
As for Fantasy Fishing, I’ve usually thrown in the white flag by the last event of the season but I’m actually in a pretty solid spot this year – especially Falcon Rods Bassmaster Drain the Lake Challenge where I’m currently at 99.5% (151st).
Hopefully I’ve got just enough left in the tank to finish the season strong. Let’s get into some Fantasy Fishing picks!
BUCKET A: DAVIS JR.
As tempting as it is to pick Chris Johnston or Trey McKinney who are currently tied at the top of the AOY standings, I’m going with a bit of an under the radar pick with Will Davis Jr. who is currently sitting at a 1.5% player percentage. There’s no history aspect to this pick, but the Alabama angler is a Coosa River rat who loves this style of fishing.
Solid secondary selection: I realize that we’re talking about Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing here, but it’s totally a Pick ‘Em opportunity between Chris Johnston and Trey McKinney. I would expect that both anglers will have big events at the Mississippi River with AOY on the line, so take your pick.
BUCKET B: FOTHERGILL
Frankly, I’m tired of being criticized by Easton Fothergill’s dad, Gordon, for not picking his son in Fantasy Fishing. Easton will have to find motivation through another avenue this week because he’s on my roster. In all seriousness, Fothergill has had a tremendous bounce-back rookie season after a brutal start in Florida, and the Mississippi River is a place that he had success at just a year ago on the Opens.
Solid secondary selection: It’s extremely tempting to go with Cody Meyer in Bucket B. The Idaho angler notched a 5th place finish at the Mississippi River just a year ago in the Opens and has a number of solid finishes in FLW events here in the past. At just a 1.1% player percentage, Meyer is a steal in this Bucket.
BUCKET C: SHRYOCK
After missing the last two cuts, expect Hunter Shryock to have a big-time bounce back to end the season at the Mississippi River. In two Elite trips to this body of water, Shryock has a 36th and an 18th place finish. Considering his strength of fishing shallow water, this venue sets up perfectly for the Tennessee pro.
Solid secondary selection: It feels like Brandon Palaniuk is going to pull his traditional heroics and have a stellar event at the Mississippi River and make the Bassmaster Classic. At 44.1%, the Idaho pro is at a much higher player percentage.
BUCKET D: BROWNING
The combination of Beau Browning’s fishing style and his 20th place finish at the Mississippi River a year ago makes him a solid pick in Bucket D at a much lower player percentage than other anglers in the Bucket.
Solid secondary selection: It’s really a toss-up between Jason Christie and Greg Hackney in Bucket D. Both anglers. Both anglers have done well at the Mississippi River, but Christie’s average finish has been more consistent.
BUCKET E: WETHERELL
Alex Wetherell has a pretty impressive track record when fishing river events. I would expect this time around to be no different.
Solid secondary selection: Michael Iaconelli has been the model of consistency at the Mississippi River. In five Elite events here, Iaconelli has never finished worse than 39th.
Falcon Rods Bassmaster Drain the Lake Challenge
• Pat Schlapper
• Brandon Palaniuk
• Cody Meyer
• Bob Downey
• Alex Wetherell
• Jeff Gustafson
• Andrew Loberg
• Michael Iaconelli
