Fisher Anaya's remarkable journey in the world of bass fishing reached a significant milestone when he clinched the TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off. Competing at Lake Hartwell, Anaya's impressive two-day catch totaled 39 pounds, 15 ounces, securing his place in the highly anticipated 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic, set to take place in Knoxville, Tennessee, from March 13–15.
Earning this victory not only highlights Anaya's skills but also positions him among the distinguished prospects in competitive bass fishing. His triumph came after a close contest, narrowly defeating fellow Alabama angler Barrett Choquette by a margin of 1 pound, 10 ounces.
The young angler's performance at Lake Hartwell reflects a culmination of hard work throughout the current season. Anaya previously dominated the Bassmaster Elite Qualifier Points Standings and earned a coveted two-year position in the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series. Having qualified for the Fish-Off by securing a fifth-place finish alongside his father in the Team Championship, Anaya entered the competition with confidence.
On Day 1, Anaya's strategic adjustment proved crucial. Despite initially fishing for spotted bass, he shifted his focus to targeting larger, more aggressive largemouth bass. “I caught a 3-pounder on my second cast, and I just knew they were gonna’ bite again,” Anaya recounted. However, the catches were few for several hours until he made the decision to explore new waters. “I had this gut feeling I had to fish new water,” he admitted.
Anaya's winning method involved using a Neko-rigged green pumpkin Crush City Janitor Worm paired with a 1/8-ounce weight, which he cast into depths of 10-12 feet of water. He demonstrated a patient technique, allowing the bait to sit and dead-stick in cooler conditions. “Some casts it might take five minutes to get them moving and some casts it might be instant,” he noted, reflecting on his effective strategy of trial and error.
Despite the logistics of fishing near the dam, where he faced a lengthy travel time, Anaya felt the effort was justified. “When it’s meant to be, you can’t do wrong,” he stated, summarizing the philosophy that guided him through his fishing journey.
This success marks Anaya's second consecutive appearance in the Classic Fish-Off, a testament to his consistent performance throughout the year. He acknowledged the significance of his decisive final catch, stating, “When I pulled into that last pocket and caught that last big one, I thought ‘That might have done it. I might be going to the Classic.’”
As the competition unfolded, Barrett Choquette also emerged as a standout competitor. With a weight of 38 pounds, 5 ounces, he finished as the runner-up after a strong effort on Day 2, where he caught a total of 19-8. Reflecting on his experience, Choquette shared, “Five days ago, I was taking my first exams at Troy University,” illustrating the challenging balance student-athletes often face. Despite the tight finish, he expressed pride in his performance and acknowledged Anaya's victory with graciousness.
As Fisher Anaya now prepares for the 2026 Bassmaster Classic, his success acts as a strong reminder of his rising talent in the competitive sport. With both determination and skill, he looks poised to make a significant impact at one of the sport's premier events, while Barrett Choquette's impressive showing guarantees that fans will be closely watching his future performance as well.
