When you’re hot, you’re hot.
Kaden Buchmann is the latest young gun proving that. After great success around home the past several years, the 22-year-old from Troutman, N.C., shot down his biggest title in the Sept. 23-25 Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Norfork Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s crazy,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it happened when it happened, and I’m still feeling the same way. I just started fishing the Opens this year, and we’re going to the Classic next year. And statistically, nobody has a better chance than me to make the Elites, so it’s ridiculous.”
Buchmann’s run has been incredible. After a pair of college titles fishing for Lander University, in 2025 he tied for most Phoenix Bass Fishing League victories in a season with four. He added a fifth BLF win in February and also has two titles in Carolina team circuits.
“I got my first major win last spring in February and just kind of snowballed from there, honestly. It’s been pretty crazy,” he said, reluctant to admit he’s on a heater. “Yeah, it’s a little longer than normal ones, but yeah, pretty much. It’s been a heck of a year.”
It got bigger and better in 2026’s first EQ. Buchmann made the three-event EQ sprint by finishing 13th in Opens Division 1, which included a best of 10th on Norman, his home lake. He went into Norfork hopeful but not necessarily confident.
“I’ve fished enough fall tournaments where I knew that honestly anybody had a chance to win,” he said. “I knew I was catching some decent enough fish. That one was just going to be making the right decisions and being in the right area at the right time.
“But no, I did not expect that. I was pretty much signed up to fish a tournament back home on Saturday. I knew if I fished free and fished clean, I’d have a shot to do it and it ended up happening, wire to wire, so that was pretty awesome.”
On Day 1, Buchmann caught 16 pounds, 7 ounces for a 2-ounce lead on veteran Mike McClelland. Day 2’s 14-0 allowed him to stave off Colby Bryant’s hard charge with 19-11. On Championship Friday, Buchmann added 12-0 to total 42-7 and top Cody Stahl by 1-14.
Needless to say, he didn’t make it home for the Saturday derby. But staying on the water and entering competitions has primed his success.
“It absolutely did help,” he said. “As far as college, it helped me a lot just experiencing all the different areas, but a combination between college and local stuff has kind of taught me how to be competitive in a big tournament, if that makes sense. So I feel like I’m about ready for it, at least ready for the next one.”
At Norfork, Buchman earned his biggest payout ever, $71,317, and a berth in the 2027 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour at South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell. Lander University is around an hour from Hartwell, so Buchmann is familiar with the fishery that will host its record fifth Classic, March 19-21.
“I know it pretty decently,” Buchmann said. “I’ve fished plenty of college tournaments and other local tournaments out there, and I’m looking forward to it. I have the Nation Championship out there in a couple weeks as well, so I’ll definitely be spending tons of time there before the January cut-off.”
The top three anglers in the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance, Nov. 18-21, receive Classic berths, so Buchmann could double qualify. His first mission is making the Elites, the next step of which is this week’s EQ at Toledo Bend. The Top 10 who advance will be finalized at the season-ending Lake Guntersville EQ, Nov. 11-13.
“I’ve never been to either one, but I’ve been to most of the lakes around them, so I’ll have a clean slate as far as the lakes go, somewhat of an understanding about how the area fishes,” Buchman said. “I’m just kind of going to let the fish tell me what I’m doing, the same thing as Norfork. Just kind of go with how you feel, your gut instinct, what you need to do.”
Norfork didn’t allow forward-facing sonar, but anglers can use it at Toledo Bend. It’s off the table again at Guntersville, but Buchmann said it will be less of a factor this year than it was in 2025.
“Either way, the rules are scope or no scope, I’m pretty comfortable,” he said. “I like how they are this year, and I look forward to fishing the Opens or Elite Series with the same rules next year.”
Last year against 105 competitors, Fisher Anaya won the EQ Angler of the Year by averaging ninth-place finishes. The final qualifier’s average was 23rd. This year’s EQ has 134 entrants.
“Expect the numbers to be a lot different this year,” Buchman said. “Obviously, there’s more guys and then also no scope for two of them, whereas last year, the guys that are really good and proficient with scope had the advantage, especially with the schedule.
“So, I think it’ll be a lot different as far as what you need to necessarily get in, but these guys are still really good, so I’ve definitely got a lot of work still to do.”
Buchmann said he’s already been asked plenty if he’ll play it safe for points in the next two events or go for broke. He’s adamant he wants to continue his run.
“If I win all three, I don’t have to worry about points,” he said. “We’ll see what happens. Not likely, but you never know. It’s still fishing.”
When you’re hot …