Tucker Smith Wins Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork
Tucker Smith Claims First Elite Series Victory at Lake Fork
Yantis, Texas (May 2025) — Timing proved everything for Alabama pro Tucker Smith, who secured his first career Bassmaster Elite Series victory at the Tackle Warehouse Elite at Lake Fork, finishing with a four-day total of 127 pounds, 8 ounces.
After starting in 20th place with a 25-4 limit on Day 1, Smith made a major comeback with bags of 34-5, 33-1, and finally 34-14 on Championship Sunday. His final weight ranks seventh all-time in Elite Series history.
“It’s unbelievable; I feel like I’m in a dream right now,” said Smith, who anchored his Day 4 bag with a 7-14. “This was one of the best days I’ve ever had on the water.
“It’s really special to win on Mother’s Day with my mother (Mallory) here. She and I fish together a lot and the most important thing she’s taught me is to just be happy.”
Smith Edges Roommate Paul Marks by 13 Ounces
The 2024 Dakota Lithium Rookie of the Year leader held off roommate and fellow rookie Paul Marks, beating him by just 13 ounces. Notably, Smith had finished second to Marks at the recent Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell.
Marks, from Cumming, Ga., turned in four straight 30+ pound limits — 30-13, 31-10, 33-4, and 31-0 — to finish with 126-11. He relied on a 7 1/2-inch Zoom Winged Fluke on a 1/4-ounce jig head, targeting suspended fish over offshore hard spots.
“What an awesome week out there,” Marks said. “Over 30 pounds every day. I have nothing to complain about.”
McKinney Delivers Biggest Bag of Tournament for Third Place
Rounding out the top three, Trey McKinney of Carbondale, Ill., finished with 122-3. He posted weights of 32-5, 30-7, 21-5, and a tournament-best 38-2 on the final day.
“I’ll probably never beat today, as long as I fish,” McKinney said. “I fished all new water today and didn’t hardly make a wrong move. I lost only one fish out of I don’t know how many I caught. I was throwing back 6-pounders.”
McKinney mixed up his tactics, using a glidebait, crankbait, jighead minnow, and jig to secure his second consecutive strong finish at Lake Fork.
Offshore Mastery and Smart Timing Led Smith to Victory
Smith’s success hinged on adapting his rotation of offshore structures including clay points, saddles, and submerged pond dams, fishing depths from 6 to 40 feet. Each day, he refined his timing, hitting key areas during their bite windows.
“I think finding my rotation every day was the biggest thing,” Smith said. “After the first day, I slowly started figuring out that rotation. Today, I GOT IN THAT SAME ROTATION AND THE FISH WERE JUST BIGGER.”
On the final morning, Smith kicked off his run with a 6-4 caught on a Picasso swim jig, spurred by noticing birds working near the bank.
“This morning, I wasn’t getting bit much, so I pulled up to a place and decided to sidescan and look at some new stuff on my Humminbird APEX,” Smith said. “I saw a bunch of birds on the bank, so I picked up a Picasso swim jig and caught a 6-4.”
Equipment and Stealth Made the Difference in Windy Conditions
Smith credited his Minn Kota Quest trolling motor for its stealth and speed, which helped him quietly position in windy conditions.
“That trolling motor is super fast and super quiet,” he said. “I had to get pretty close to my spots to be able to cast to the fish because the wind was so strong today and having a quiet trolling motor allowed me to get close to them.”
He used a jighead minnow with a 1/4-ounce Picasso head and a 3/4-ounce Picasso football jig paired with a Yamamoto Yama Craw to seal the win.
Bonus Payouts and AOY Standings Update
Several anglers received additional earnings through sponsor bonus programs:
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Wesley Gore: $3,000 via Toyota Bonus Bucks
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Easton Fothergill: $2,000 via Toyota Bonus Bucks
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Paul Marks: $4,000 via Yamaha Power Pay
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Tyler Williams: $1,500 via Yamaha Power Pay
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Jay Przekurat and Kyle Norsetter: $1,000 each for 9-14 Big Bass (Days 1 & 2)
In the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings:
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Jay Przekurat – 464 points
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Will Davis Jr. – 419
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Trey McKinney – 411
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Chris Johnston – 410
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Tucker Smith – 398
Smith now also leads the Dakota Lithium Rookie of the Year race with 398 points.
Century Club Status and Lake Fork Legacy
Smith’s 127-8 total earned him a spot in the Bassmaster Century Club, awarded to those who eclipse 100 lbs over four days in an Elite event.
“These guys are so good, it really takes a special day to get one of these trophies,” Smith said.
The Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork, hosted by Wood County, once again proved why it’s one of the most exciting stops on the circuit.
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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.
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