Evan Kung wins Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River in a tournament for the record books

Historic Century Belts Awarded at St. Lawrence River Tournament Set New Record

In a landmark conclusion to the 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series, nine anglers captured the prestigious Century Belt during a single weigh-in at the Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River, establishing a new record for the most belts awarded at one smallmouth event in the series' history.

The event was defined by a dramatic climax as Evan Kung overtook leader Trey McKinney in the final moments to claim victory. Entering the closing day with a significant deficit, Kung executed a decisive final-day charge, landing a 6-pound, 13-ounce smallmouth bass that secured his first Century Belt. "It was a crazy week," Kung said. "Once I had that locked up, I went out today wanting the Century Belt. Once I had that, I just went looking for big ones."

Kung’s success was built on a consistent performance throughout the four-day event, relying heavily on a drop shot technique paired with a Great Lakes Finesse prototype bait. He recalled a pivotal moment late in the tournament: spending three hours on the water without a catch before striking gold in the final twenty minutes. "I went to the lake for three hours, didn't catch a fish, came back in the river and caught that big one," he explained. "It was a crazy week."

While Kung took home the centerpiece of the event, the tournament produced nine winners of the Century Belt, making it the highest concentration of awards in a single session. Tucker Smith and Cory Johnston also joined the elite club, while Cole Sands celebrated a major milestone after months of preparation. Other notable finishers included Brandon Cobb, JT Thompkins, Bryant Smith, and Fisher Anaya, who rounded out the top ten.

The race for the title was fierce, with Trey McKinney finishing second with a total of 107-9. Despite falling just short of the championship, McKinney earned the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year award. The tournament underscored the St. Lawrence River’s reputation as one of the nation’s premier smallmouth fishing locations, where the combination of goby feeding patterns and the competitive field pushed the limits of the sport.

For Sands, the achievement felt deeply personal. "I wanted one of those Century Belts so bad for so long, and I finally got one," he said. "And to get it with smallmouth at the St. Lawrence — this might be my favorite bass fishery on earth." The event stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and skill in one of the country's most productive angling grounds.