Troy University angler Barrett Choquette claimed the overall title at the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley, opening the 2026-27 season of the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series.
His first-place finish – a first in program history at Troy – qualified the Troy team for a bid in the national championship.
Choquette landed a 6.97-pound largemouth bass during Day 1, Session 3 presented by Bass Pro Shops at Kentucky Lake. The fish held up through the final weigh-in to give Choquette the overall victory.
For his performance, Choquette received more than $6,000 in prizes and contingencies, including a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card, Power-Pole certificate, Turtlebox Gen 3, Abu Garcia reel and two rods, Bajio sunglasses and Berkley fishing line.
Choquette also earned a $500 ACA Yamaha logo contingency bonus as the highest-placing angler competing with the Yamaha Marine logo displayed on his jersey.
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The Association of Collegiate Anglers awarded more than $20,000 in prizes and contingencies during the no-entry-fee event, which attracted nearly 670 anglers competing in almost 320 boats. Competitors also earned double points toward the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.
The Yamaha/ACA Contingency Bonus Program rewards anglers who display the Yamaha logo on their jerseys, with an additional bonus available to anglers who compete with Yamaha outboards.
Troy also had Matthew Tucker finish tied for seventh. Tucker and Choquette were among the top 10 anglers who earned automatic qualification for the 2027 Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Top 10 finishers
- Barrett Choquette, Troy University
- Jayden Lintner, Emmanuel University
- Walker Larue, Carson-Newman University
- Caleb Edwards, Emmanuel University
- Phillip Herring, University of West Alabama
- Eli Scroggins, Campbellsville University
- Matthew Tucker, Troy University
- Christopher Fallon, University of West Alabama
- Peyton Sorrow, University of West Alabama
- Zach Wolfe, Carson-Newman University
The 2027 Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship will be held May 27-28 at Pickwick Lake in Florence, AL.
Each qualifying angler will be able to select a teammate to compete with at the national championship. There is no limit on the number of boats a school can qualify through this criteria.
The 2027 championship will be the Association of Collegiate Anglers’ 22nd national championship and is billed as the longest-running national championship in college fishing.
