Brody Robison was so nervous heading to the ramp on Day 2 of the 2026 Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Lake Guntersville presented by Bass Pro Shops, he made multiple stops to puke on the side of the road.
The day before, Robison landed just 11-13 on his home pond to land in 102nd, and he fell from comfortably inside the Top 10 in Elite Qualifier points all the way to 15th. If things didn’t go well on Day 2, he would not be moving on to the 2027 Progressive Elite Series, despite his remarkable season.
“I didn’t sleep but maybe an hour last night and I was throwing up on the way to the ramp. I was nervous. Pretty scared honestly,” Robison said.
When he finally got on the water, Robison scrapped everything he learned from practice and targeted high-percentage areas across the lake to scrap up 19-2 and jump 60 positions to reclaim his spot inside the Elite Series cut.
Certainly more stressful than he planned, but the University of Montevallo grad capped off his remarkable season with a trip to the big time.
“I definitely feel a lot better than I did this time yesterday,” Robison said after weighing in. “I’m ecstatic about the day. I knew yesterday that I stayed in the wrong area and that I would have to get at least 20 miles from that area. They were just in a terrible mood in the section I dedicated my day to.”
Guntersville may be Robison’s home lake, but he has never been able to put the pieces together in a multi-day tournament. His highest finish is 34th in a national event, but his Day 2 showing this week is probably his most impressive yet.
Throughout the day, Robison fished from one end of the lake to the other. At one point, he found himself right below the Tennessee state line. Each place he stopped, he caught a quality bass.
“I knew I was going to have to junk fish in the most productive water on the lake,” Robison explained. “I went to places where they only have one place to live. I think I drove 113 miles today. I had one stretch I had a lot of confidence in from history and caught a 5-pounder that really made my bag.”
Robison wasn’t the only one to make a big comeback on Day 2. Trey Schroeder moved back into the Top 10 in points with a 17-14 limit that lifted him to 43rd in the tournament and into 6th in points. Kaden Buchmann may not win EQ AOY, but he did catch 16 pounds to secure an Elite bid.
Redemption is sweet
This time last year, Bailey Gay was on the outside looking in after a self-inflicted error kept him out of the Elite Series. Gay had to sweat it out a little bit on Day 2 at Guntersville, but with a 51st place finish, he is now an Elite Series angler.
What could have been at Toledo Bend
Toledo Bend turned out to be a decisive event for anglers on the outside looking in to the Elite Series. Veteran Fred Roumbanis is one of those anglers. To open the EQ, he finished 26th at Norfork. He finished 21st at Guntersville. Unfortunately, an 115th at Toledo Bend tanked his chances at requalifying for the Elite Series.
Jack Dice was another angler who fell victim to Toledo Bend. He finished 96th in Louisiana, and despite a 3rd and a 26th at Norfork and Guntersville, couldn’t make his way into the Elite cut. Andy Newcomb suffered a similar fate.
A middle of the pack finish at Toledo Bend was enough to keep Cody Stahl out of the Elite Series after a dominating performance in Division I of the Opens.
What might be at Guntersville
Dillon Falardeau did not have a great Elite Qualifier round. Two mediocre finishes got him behind the 8-ball. Entering the final day at Guntersville, however, Falardeau is the tournament leader and if he wins, he will qualify for the Bassmaster Classic for the second straight season. A nice consolation prize after an incredible regular season that saw him finish second in the overall Opens points.
