Matt Robertson Leads Opening Day of WBE’s “The Champions” With 20-Pound Limit

Team Stars holds early Champions Cup advantage as field competes for a record-breaking $3.25 million purse

World Bass Enterprises’ “The Champions” tournament opened Thursday with 60 of the world’s top anglers and two “Average Joes” competing for a record-breaking $3.25 million total purse.

Matt Robertson set the pace with 20 pounds, 0 ounces, taking the Day 1 lead ahead of Fisher Anaya in second with 15 pounds, 7 ounces, and Michael Neal in third with 13 pounds, 9 ounces.

Chris Johnston and Dustin Connell shared big-bass honors for the day, each weighing a fish at 5 pounds, 3 ounces.

In the team competition, Team Stars holds the early Champions Cup advantage, placing eight anglers inside the top 15.

Robertson credited his opening-day performance to a calculated gamble on smallmouth bass.

“I’ll be honest with you, it’s kind of surprising,” Robertson said. “I thought I could catch 2-3 keepers.”

Drawing on his experience fishing Tennessee River smallmouth, Robertson committed to an area where he believed larger fish would be holding.

“I just gambled on it, rolled the dice, and cracked on ‘em good,” he said. “With what I had, if somebody beat me, I’d be surprised.”

Champions Cup and Championship Cut Set for Friday

Competition continues Friday, Oct. 30, when the team winner will be determined and awarded the Champions Cup. The individual field will also be cut to the top 15 anglers advancing to Championship Saturday.

Day 1 Standings — Top 16

Weights listed in pounds–ounces.

Friday, Oct. 30 Schedule

• 7 a.m. — Park opens

• 7:05 a.m. — Salute to America

• 7:30 a.m. — First-flight shotgun start

• 7:45 a.m. — Second-flight shotgun start

• 8 a.m. — Media boat departs; advance requests required

• 4–6 p.m. — Weigh-in, media availability and Champions Cup team winner announcement