Tucker Smith wins the Bassmaster College Championship on Pickwick Lake. After three days of intense competition and hot conditions.
Shimano Varsity Pro Team member Smith and his partner Harden Marbut, emerged victorious catching a total of 53 pounds and 12 ounces of Tennessee River bass.
Smith, a two-year Shimano Varsity Pro Team member, exploded out of the gates on day one with a 20-pound, 8-ounce bag, rotating between a swimbait, football head jig, drop shot, and a Damiki rig while establishing a solid offshore pattern. On day two, he caught a total weighing 15 pounds and 4 ounces, putting Auburn in first place going into the last day. Smith brought home the win on Championship Sunday with an impressive 14-pound and 4-ounce bag.
“It has been a pleasure to watch Tucker mature as an angler,” says Bob Mahoney, Freshwater Product Marketing Manager for Shimano North America Fishing. “We could not be more fortunate to have someone as talented as him to represent our brand at the college level.”
This latest victory adds to a string of recent tournament successes. In 2021, Smith and partner Logan Parks won the Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships. Earlier this year they returned to the podium with a commanding win at the Strike King Bassmaster College Classic, held on Tennessee’s Watts Bar Reservoir. Throughout his collegiate career, Smith has utilized Shimano’s Curado tackle system of low-profile baitcasting reels and casting rods, along with Vanford spinning reels for finesse applications. Smith’s win marks the first time he’s won the Bassmaster College Championship and his performance will go down as one to remember.
To learn more about Smith’s full tackle system, visit fish.shamano.com. To find a retailer near you, visit Shimano’s dealer locator. For more information on Shimano and the latest product releases, please contact Kade Gewanter at Kadegewanter@darbycommunications.com.
About Shimano North America Fishing:
Since 1970, Shimano has been a global manufacturer of industry-leading fishing tackle systems built for anglers compelled by experiences on the water. Shimano designs, manufactures, and markets a deep lineup of angling-specific products focused on promoting health and happiness through the enjoyment of nature and the world around us. The company proudly maintains a portfolio of four consumer-preferred brands: Shimano, G.Loomis, Jackall, and PowerPro. You can learn more at https://fish.shimano.com/en-US or follow on social @fish_shimano_north_america/, @fishgloomis, @jackall_usa, and @fishpowerpro.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota.