Kyle Welcher Dominates Bassmaster Elite Series at Pasquotank River
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – April 2025 — With a jaw-dropping four-day total of 118 pounds, 12 ounces, Kyle Welcher clinched his first-ever Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series title in stunning fashion. The 2023 Angler of the Year not only secured the coveted Century Belt but also shattered records en route to a commanding 45-pound, 7-ounce margin of victory — the largest in Elite Series history.
A Dominant Performance From Start to Finish
Welcher kicked off the tournament on fire, weighing in 30-11 on Day 1 to take the early lead — a lead he never surrendered. His momentum continued with 30-3 on Day 2, and a jaw-dropping 34-0 on Day 3, which earned him the Rapala CrushCity Monster Bag of the Tournament. He capped it off with a 23-14 bag on Championship Sunday, anchored by a 7-pound, 3-ounce largemouth.
“I didn’t think I would get a Century Belt, for sure,” Welcher said. “When I heard we were coming here, I was excited… It ended up falling right into my wheelhouse in a way I’m super comfortable fishing.”
History Made in Eastern North Carolina
The event, held on the Pasquotank River and surrounding waters in eastern North Carolina, quickly became one of the most memorable tournaments in Bassmaster history. Welcher’s 45-7 winning margin broke the previous record set by Patrick Walters at Lake Fork in 2020 (29-10), and his 118-12 total now ranks 13th all-time in Elite Series four-day totals.
“I’m super thankful really. I kind of felt it building like that early on Day 2,” Welcher added. “When stuff starts going your way, you have to get out of your own way and let it happen.”
Weather Challenges and Strategic Decisions
The tournament was not without its challenges. A sudden cold front brought temperatures down by nearly 20 degrees and created rough, windy conditions across Albemarle Sound. While many anglers took long runs to rivers like the Roanoke, North, and Chowan, Welcher stayed close to home — just a few miles from the takeoff.
After a disappointing practice, Welcher targeted a mile-long stretch of the Pasquotank River — the only area that featured stumps and cypress trees, ideal cover for spawning bass. This decision proved pivotal.
“For you to catch them like this, you have to have fish coming to you every single day,” Welcher said. “That window is super small… It made all of the difference.”
Gear and Tactics That Sealed the Win
Welcher used forward-facing sonar to locate submerged cover and target spawning largemouth. His setup included:
“I pegged my weight,” Welcher explained. “I want my bait and weight to be together… so that if I need to pitch into something, my bait is down there with the weight.”
Enjoying Championship Sunday
With a massive 33-14 lead going into the final day, Welcher had room to breathe and enjoy the moment. He sealed the Century Belt mark in the first hour with a 4-pounder and a 7-pounder and completed his limit by 10 a.m.
“I did really enjoy it today,” Welcher said. “I wasn’t quite as intense… But I still moved around pretty good and fished hard.”
Though he culled just once in the afternoon, Welcher still ended the day with 23-14 and a sense of satisfaction.
“I was disappointed about that about 2 o’clock,” Welcher said. “And then I remembered I had 23 pounds. I was like, ‘I need to chill out.’”
Brandon Lester and Trey McKinney Round Out Top 3
2nd Place – Brandon Lester (72-1)
Veteran pro Brandon Lester of Fayetteville, Tenn., earned second place with 72-1 over four days. His bags of 17-7, 18-14, 24-11, and 10-8 kept him steadily in the hunt.
“This has been one of the funnest events I’ve fished in a long time,” Lester said.
Lester fished close to takeoff, using a LiveTarget Straight Tail Worm on a shaky head near a bridge and switching to a drop-shot rig in shallow creeks with a Live Target Finesse Worm.
3rd Place – Trey McKinney (72-1)
Rookie standout Trey McKinney of Carbondale, Ill., also finished with 72-1. He started strong with a 23-7 bag and followed up with 15-7, 21-7, and 11-1.
McKinney worked shallow wood in the North River, rotating between a prototype jig and a Neko rig with 6th Sense Bamboosa and Divine Shaky Head Worms.
“Every day I found a spot where I could get two or three good bites,” McKinney said.
Bonus Payouts and Century Club Recognition
Welcher racked up additional rewards beyond his $100,000 first-place prize, including:
-
$2,000 – Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament (10-8, Day 3)
-
$1,000 – Big Bass of Day 3
-
$1,000 – Big Bass of Championship Sunday (7-3)
-
$2,000 – Rapala CrushCity Monster Bag (34-0, Day 3)
-
$3,000 – Toyota Bonus Bucks
-
Phoenix & Yamaha Power Pay Bonuses distributed to top eligible anglers
Angler of the Year and Rookie of the Year Standings
After three events in the 2025 season, Will Davis Jr. leads the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with 270 points, tied with John Garrett. The Top 5 also includes:
-
Jay Przekurat – 268 pts
-
Jake Whitaker – 262 pts
-
Lee Livesay – 258 pts
In the Rookie of the Year standings, Tucker Smith holds a commanding lead with 191 points, followed by:
-
Paul Marks – 180 pts
-
Beau Browning – 163 pts
Visit Elizabeth City Hosts a World-Class Event
The 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series stop was proudly hosted by Visit Elizabeth City, showcasing the rich bass fishing potential of North Carolina’s Pasquotank River system. With historical performances and breakout stars, this tournament sets a high bar for the rest of the season.
Connect with #Bassmaster and the #BassmasterClassic on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
See more bass tournament news here
Discover the ultimate resource for bass fishing enthusiasts with Bass Angler Magazine! Packed with expert tips, the latest cutting-edge techniques, and in-depth articles, our magazine is your go-to guide for mastering the art of bass fishing. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, Bass Angler Magazine delivers the insights and inspiration you need to reel in the big ones. Subscribe today and elevate your angling game!
.aioseo-author-bio-compact{display:flex;gap:40px;padding:12px;text-align:left;border:1px solid #000;border-radius:5px;color:#111;background-color:#FFF}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-left{flex:0 0 120px}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-right{flex:1 1 auto}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-left .aioseo-author-bio-compact-image{width:120px;height:120px;border-radius:5px}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-right .aioseo-author-bio-compact-header{display:flex;align-items:center}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-right .aioseo-author-bio-compact-header .author-name{font-size:22px;font-weight:600}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-right .aioseo-author-bio-compact-header .author-job-title{margin-left:12px;padding-left:12px;font-size:18px;border-left:1px solid gray}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-right .aioseo-author-bio-compact-main{margin:12px 0;font-size:18px}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-right .aioseo-author-bio-compact-main>p:last-of-type{display:inline}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-right .aioseo-author-bio-compact-main .author-bio-link{display:inline-flex}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-right .aioseo-author-bio-compact-main .author-bio-link a{display:flex;align-items:center}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-right .aioseo-author-bio-compact-main .author-bio-link a svg{fill:#000}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-right .aioseo-author-bio-compact-footer .author-expertises{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:10px}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-right .aioseo-author-bio-compact-footer .author-expertises .author-expertise{padding:4px 8px;font-size:14px;border-radius:4px;background-color:#DCDDE1;color:inherit}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-right .aioseo-author-bio-compact-footer .author-socials{margin-top:12px;display:flex;gap:6px}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-right .aioseo-author-bio-compact-footer .author-socials .aioseo-social-icon-tumblrUrl{margin-left:-2px}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-site-editor-disclaimer{color:#000;margin-bottom:12px;font-style:italic}@media screen and (max-width:430px){.aioseo-author-bio-compact{flex-direction:column;gap:20px}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-left .aioseo-author-bio-compact-image{display:block;margin:0 auto;width:160px;height:160px}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-right{text-align:center}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-right .aioseo-author-bio-compact-header{justify-content:center}.aioseo-author-bio-compact-right .aioseo-author-bio-compact-footer .author-socials{justify-content:center}}
$post[‘post_content’] .= ‘Source‘;
