Yui Aoki Earns Victory at Bassmaster Open on Kentucky Lake
Aoki Dominates Bassmaster Open with Precision and Smart Decisions
PARIS, Tenn. — The final day of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley, presented by SEVIIN, was anything but predictable. However, one thing was clear—Japan’s Yui Aoki, who held a commanding lead of over six pounds going into the last day, was the angler to beat.
He did more than just maintain his lead—he excelled.
Aoki’s Championship Performance
The 25-year-old Aoki finished the three-day tournament with a total catch of 66 pounds, 14 ounces, securing victory by 3 ½ pounds over his closest competitor. His final-day limit included three smallmouth and two largemouth bass weighing 18-10, proving experts right in their predictions that a mixed-bag approach would be key to winning this tournament.
Aoki’s victory earned him a $50,305 cash prize, part of the $334,028 purse split among the Top 45 competitors from an initial field of 226 anglers. Additionally, this win clinched his spot in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, taking place March 13-15 in Knoxville, Tenn., on the Tennessee River.
A Dream Come True for Aoki
Though he speaks little English, Aoki’s joy was universal. As he closed Saturday’s weigh-in with a triumphant finish, he raised his fists high and smiled for the cameras.
“This feels so good,” Aoki said, celebrating his first B.A.S.S. victory.
When asked about his Classic qualification, he described it as “A dream come true.”
Mastering a Tough Fishery with Consistency
Fishing 6,600 miles from his home in Minamitsuru District, Japan, Aoki displayed remarkable skill on Kentucky Lake, a 160,000-acre section of the Tennessee River. What set him apart was his consistency—a challenge on a fishery where conditions can fluctuate drastically.
Many top anglers struggle with Kentucky Lake’s unpredictability, catching a 25-pound limit one day and barely hitting 12 pounds the next. Aoki, however, maintained steady success throughout all three days of competition.
On Day 1, Aoki weighed in 24 pounds of smallmouth bass, placing second behind local favorite Jordan Hartman, who led with 25-4.
As weather conditions shifted from cold and clear on Thursday to overcast and blustery on Friday, Aoki adjusted seamlessly. He bagged 24-4 on Day 2, incorporating three largemouths into his limit.
On Championship Saturday, he switched up his approach, choosing to fish the Big Sandy area rather than the flooded timber stretch that had served him well earlier.
Tactical Adjustments Pay Off
“I had to expand my area, look for new (fish),” Aoki explained. “It was windy, but it helped me today.”
His lure selection played a crucial role in his success. He relied on swimbaits in white or smoke colors to mimic the threadfin shad prevalent in Kentucky Lake. His key baits included the Dstyle Virola Tail Swimbait 145 and Dstyle Virola 4 or 5 rigged with a 3.5-gram jighead.
Securing Bassmaster Elite Series Hopes
Aoki’s victory adds valuable points to his standing in the Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers (EQ) race. Earlier this season, he finished 10th at the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in February. Now with a first-place finish, he strengthens his position for a shot at the 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series.
He is set to compete in the final two Division 2 Bassmaster Opens this year:
- April 3-5: Norfork Lake, Arkansas
- August 14-16: Leech Lake, Minnesota
The Top 50 anglers in each division will qualify for the EQ Series, with the Top 10 from that series earning a spot in the 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series.
Top 10 Anglers at Kentucky Lake
Here’s how the top competitors finished:
- Yui Aoki (Japan) – 66-14, $50,305
- Ethan Fields (Illinois) – 63-5, $20,122
- Matt Robertson (Kentucky) – 56-3, $15,092
- Clint Knight (Kentucky) – 56-0, $14,086
- Jordan Hartman (Kentucky) – 55-9, $13,079
- Sam Hanggi (Tennessee) – 53-5, $12,073
- Laker Howell (Alabama) – 52-1, $11,067
- Ty Faber (Colorado) – 49-6, $10,061
- Tanner Hadden (Georgia) – 48-9, $10,061
- Miles Burghoff (Tennessee) – 43-0, $10,061
Additionally, Nebraska’s BJ Miller won $750 and the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award for his 8-3 catch on Day 1.
The tournament was proudly hosted by The City of Paris, Tennessee.
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew’s, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
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.
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