CLAYTON, N.Y. — Trey McKinney clinched the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title on the St. Lawrence River, becoming the youngest competitor ever to claim the prestigious award at age 21.
The angler from Carbondale, Illinois, accumulated 735 points over nine events to edge out Canadian angler Cory Johnston by four points. McKinney's victory broke a record held since 1992 by Kevin VanDam, who was 24 when he won his first AOY.
"This feels unbelievable," McKinney said after the final weigh-in. "When I caught the 6-pounder later in the day, I knew that bass had won me $100,000 and Angler of the Year, something I have dreamed of all of my life."
McKinney's prize totaled $100,000. Johnston, fishing on his home waters, finished with 731 points and earned a $50,000 bonus.
McKinney's path to the title came after two consecutive second-place finishes in previous seasons, both losses to Chris Johnston, Cory's younger brother. The season proved turbulent, including a devastating 90th-place finish at Santee Cooper in South Carolina after equipment troubles during poor practice conditions.
"Once I put myself back in it at Pasquotank, I knew I would be okay," McKinney said of his recovery. "For once in my life, I played it safe and it worked out."
The final event on the St. Lawrence River had McKinney and Johnston entering separated by just two points. McKinney struggled with nerves early on the final day, breaking off fish and catching smaller bass. Late in the day, he made a pivotal decision to travel further, spot rock structure, and cast into the spot that yielded the 6-pounder that secured his victory.
"I was shaking all day," he said. "I wasn't catching the right bass to start. Then something told me to go a little further. So I did, and I saw the rock structure she was behind."
The victory also marked McKinney's second Century Belt, an achievement awarded to anglers who land five-bass limits totaling over 100 pounds in a single event.
At 21 years old and in only his third season as a Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro, McKinney's career earnings have crossed $900,000.
Drew Cook of Georgia finished third with 674 points and $25,000. Cole Sands of Tennessee took fourth place with 657 points. The top 10 was completed by Brandon Cobb of South Carolina (656 points), John Garrett of Tennessee (629 points), Caleb Hudson of Georgia (621 points), Fisher Anaya of Alabama (619 points), Paul Marks of Georgia (618 points), and Andrew Loberg of Alabama (617 points).
