BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. – Academy Sports + Outdoors pro Jacob Wheeler secured his eighth Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour victory with a commanding performance Sunday, April 14, on Dale Hollow Lake in Tennessee. Wheeler, the current No. 1 angler in the world, secured the win and a $100,000 payday by catching a total weight of 116 pounds, 6 ounces on the event’s final day, giving him a massive 30 pound margin of victory.
Wheeler’s road to victory began in the day one qualifying round with 21 scorable bass weighing 59 pounds, 3 ounces. On day two of qualifying, Wheeler bagged an additional 11 fish weighing 34 pounds, 2 ounces to secure a spot in the Knockout Round, in which weights reset.
Entering the day three Knockout Round in fifth place, Wheeler started off on a tear, boating 17 scorable bass totaling 53 pounds, 13 ounces, in less than two hours. Wheeler finished the Knockout Round in first with 25 total fish weighing in at 79 pounds, 13 ounces before the weights reset again to begin Sunday’s Championship contest. His early streak Saturday gave him ample time to practice and draft a game plan for Sunday, which proved to be beneficial. Wheeler crushed the competition on the final day of the event, catching 39 fish weighing 116 pounds, 6 ounces en route to his Bass Pro Tour—best eighth victory since the league’s inception in 2019.
“Throughout the event, I was able to stay warm in the chilly mornings and comfortably shed layers as the sun warmed things up in the afternoons thanks to my gear from Magellan Outdoors Pro,” said Wheeler. “We designed my signature series Magellan Outdoors Pro Fish Jacob Wheeler line of apparel and accessories to adapt to changing conditions on the water, and this event was a perfect showcase of that.”
Hailing from Harrison, Tenn., Wheeler is a frequent visitor of Dale Hollow Lake, which played to his benefit as he was able to eliminate some areas and focus on others. Wheeler stayed ahead of the field by opting to target largemouth bass and spending plenty of time Saturday scouting, not having to worry about the cut line. In the end, his execution and gameplan came together to secure the win and further his lead in the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year competition.
En route to victory, Wheeler used his Magellan Outdoors Pro Jacob Wheeler signature series line of apparel, gaiter, footwear, gloves and more, which are available exclusively at Academy Sports + Outdoors, to stay comfortable and dry on the water. Academy is also the best place to purchase Wheeler’s signature series rods, reels, baits and lures, and Suffix fishing line, which he uses on the MLF Bass Pro Tour.
Wheeler has been affiliated with Academy Sports + Outdoors since 2015. With 284 locations across 18 states, Academy Sports + Outdoors offers a diverse range of fishing gear, including rods, reels, baits, lures, fish finders, tackle, storage solutions, waders, kayaks, sunglasses, fishing apparel, footwear, and much more.
For store locations and to shop Academy’s selection of fishing products, visit www.academy.com.
