Story by Ken Duke | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
Championship tournaments are different. There are no points to be collected, no next thing to qualify for, and no greater title to be had. The anglers in the field are all vying for the very same thing—a big trophy, big paycheck and the title champion of champions.
And while I think the most prestigious award in all of fishing competitions is “angler of the year,” the annual championship event has an undeniable mystique. Do certain anglers have the ability to rise to the top under such conditions, or is it really just another tournament with a bigger spotlight, a brighter stage, and a heftier payday?
I’m not sure. I just know that I enjoy championships. Maybe it’s because they’re infrequent, have a smaller field, or that everyone there has “earned” it.
One thing that’s common to every tournament, not just championships, is that everyone arrives at the event thinking about winning—not just showing up but actually winning.
Of course, that thinking changes over the course of every day of practice. A good day of practice turns thinking about winning into confidence. A bad day of practice turns thinking into doubt—doubt about winning, worrying about being embarrassed, indecision about what to try next.
It’s impossible to get into the heads of the 42 anglers who have qualified for the 2025 NPFL Championship. Most will tell you that they feel pretty good about practice or that they think they may be “onto something.” But now practice is over, and we get to find out. The weigh-in scales are judge and jury.
Here are a few anglers to watch for, based on their track records, their pre-tournament comments, and whatever else seems to be going on. I’ll take them alphabetically.
Jason Burroughs: He was sixth in Progressive Angler of the Year in 2025, and Lake Hartwell is his home water. He’s won six MLF Bass Fishing League tournaments here. No one has better credentials on Hartwell, but this is not his time of year. He’ll tell you that in the fall whatever advantage he has at other times is gone. Nevertheless, he’s certainly at the top of the list of ones to watch.
Drew Cook: You can never count Cook out—not ever. He always, always, always catches ’em, and he seems to get stronger as an event goes on. If he has a solid Day 1, look out! He’ll likely close the deal. He’s strong with the technology, but can also go to the bank and chunk and wind with the best of ’em.
Will Harkins: He’s young, he’s a master scoper, and he was fourth here last May. That adds up to him being a pre-tournament favorite. Like Timmy Reams, he’s had a tough year, but this is exactly the place he might break out and turn a bad year into a good one.
Trent Palmer: Virtually everyone in the field seems to believe that forward-facing sonar will play a big role in the Hartwell Championship. That plays to Palmer’s advantage. Not only does he own and operate an electronics installation company (SonarPros), but he’s very talented with the technology.
Brandon Perkins: He’s the defending champ! You can never count that guy out. Perkins’ problem is that he fishes less than anyone else in the field, went all year without once plugging in his forward-facing sonar, and used official practice to get reacquainted with it. But if he gets on ’em … look out. He’s the kind of performer who can lap the field.
Timmy Reams: It’s been a tough year for Reams. I’m not sure if he misses forward-facing sonar or if it’s just a slump that most pros go through at some point in their career. Either way, this could be a breakout moment for the West Virginia pro. He’s highly skilled with the technology, extremely talented, and overdue!
Patrick Walters: The 2025 NPFL AOY always seems to find a way. He got the AOY monkey off his back last week. Maybe he gets rid of the major championship simian this week. Forward-facing sonar is in play here (we’re using 2024 rules because this field qualified in 2024), and Walters is a wiz with it. You can never count Walters out.
Kyle Welcher: Welcher is not just the most consistent angler in the NPFL over his two years in the League. He’s been the most excellent. His worst finish in 12 events is 18th place. That’s remarkable. I expect him to have a strong performance. He was third here last May and second here in the 2022 Bassmaster Classic. He has unfinished business with Hartwell.
