RICHMOND, Va. — Anderson Jones is plenty familiar with tidal waters. Growing up, he and his dad redfished around Isle of Palms in Charleston and still compete in redfish derbies. Very little of his tidal experience revolved around bass in freshwater, but that didn’t stop him from dominating Day 1 of the 2026 Bassmaster College Series tournament at James River.
The Lander University senior landed 23 pounds, 15 ounces to take the Day 1 lead in eastern Virginia, anchoring that bag with an 8-10 largemouth that claimed Big Bass of the Day honors. He holds a 2-5 advantage over the Carson-Newman University duo of Dylan May and Landon Myers heading into the final day.
Tidal rivers provide plenty of hurdles on their own, but this week competitors dealt with heavy rains that muddied up the James River and its tributaries. While seven bags over 18 pounds made it back to weigh-in, the majority of the 170-boat field brought in less than 13 pounds.
While Jones pointed out redfish and largemouth set up on completely different structures, the way they respond to the tide is essentially the same. As the water moves out, or in, they find the best places to ambush prey.
“I don’t think they really care what it is,” he said. “Figuring out the clock on these rivers is really the key. They feed on a clock.”
His tidal prowess, and his love for Florida strain largemouth, pointed Jones to the Chickahominy River. In practice, he looked around until he started seeing patches of vegetation, primarily hydrilla. He didn’t catch many bass, but the ones he did were all over 3 pounds. The water in that area was noticeably cleaner as well.
“They stocked Florida strain largemouth in there, and when I heard that it lit me up like a lightbulb,” Jones said.
Entering the tournament in 5th-place in the Lunkers Trail Team of the Year race, just 22 points behind first-place Tallis Morrison and Lane Clark, the 24-year-old knew he needed to stay around the bass he thought he could win with.
“If I wanted to win the points, I needed to be around the bass to win this tournament,” he said. “Four hours to fish is a little curveball, but hitting the tide right paid off.”
On Day 1, the tide cycle lined up almost perfectly for Jones, who had to run for more than an hour to his primary area. A strong outgoing tide was occurring when he arrived, and he caught the entirety of his bag within the first hour of fishing, including the almost 9-pounder.
“I didn’t have a net, which made things a little interesting. I saw it on my forward-facing sonar on the edge of the grass. I thought it was a catfish or a carp or something. I threw over there anyway and when I hooked her, she didn’t move. She just slowly rose and when it made its first jump, the head on it was gigantic.”
Jones used two baits to land his limit, and while he utilized his forward-facing sonar, he didn’t see most of the bass until he threw a bait over to the grass edges. In his hour flurry, he landed over 10 bass.
Jones has a later boat draw on Day 2, which is a good news, bad news scenario. The good news; the tide should set up the same. The bad news; an already crowded area could be more crowded when he arrives.
Myers and May finished the day with 21-10 while their Carson-Newman teammates Hunter Owens and Jackie Hatfield landed in third with 20-1. Adrian College’s Brady Osborn and Connor Racine are fourth with 19-15 while Phillip Herring and Parker O’Bryan from the University of West Alabama are fifth with 18-14.
The full field of 170 teams will launch from Osborne Park in Richmond beginning at 6 a.m. ET and return for weigh-in starting at 2 p.m. At tournament’s end, the Top 10 percent of the field will punch their ticket to the 2026 Bassmaster College Championship.
The Lunkers Trail Team of the Year race will also come to a close, and the winners will earn their spot in the College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s, details of which will be announced at a later time.
2026 Bassmaster College Series Tournament at James River 5/29-5/30
James River, Richmond VA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Anderson Jones - Lander University 250
Day 1: 5 23-15 Total: 5 23-15
2. Landon Myers - Dylan May Carson-Newman University 249
Day 1: 5 21-10 Total: 5 21-10
3. Hunter Owens - Jackie Hatfield Carson-Newman University 248
Day 1: 5 20-01 Total: 5 20-01
4. Brady Osborn - Connor Racine Adrian College 247
Day 1: 5 19-15 Total: 5 19-15
5. Phillip Herring - Parker O'Bryan University of West Alabama 246
Day 1: 5 18-14 Total: 5 18-14
6. Colton Trotter - Barrett Choquette Troy University 245
Day 1: 5 18-13 Total: 5 18-13
7. Zion Dunaway - Andrew Krintz Purdue University 244
Day 1: 5 18-08 Total: 5 18-08
8. Chris Fallon - Asa Putnam University of West Alabama 243
Day 1: 5 17-12 Total: 5 17-12
9. Lucas Washburn - Braylon Eggerding Adrian College 242
Day 1: 5 16-10 Total: 5 16-10
10. Daylon Milam - James Dubose University of West Alabama 241
Day 1: 5 16-09 Total: 5 16-09
11. Nolan Gray - Riley Brown Carson-Newman University 240
Day 1: 5 16-06 Total: 5 16-06
12. Zach Helton - Blake Wheat Carson-Newman University 239
Day 1: 5 15-09 Total: 5 15-09
13. Luke Wyle - Trey Richardson III Auburn University 238
Day 1: 5 15-05 Total: 5 15-05
14. Dylan Sorrells - Thomas Turnbull University of Montevallo 237
Day 1: 5 14-12 Total: 5 14-12
14. Peyton Walls - Aiden Futral Faulkner University 237
Day 1: 5 14-12 Total: 5 14-12
16. Hogan Benson - Jackson Pruett USC - Union 235
Day 1: 5 14-10 Total: 5 14-10
17. Garrett Sullivan - Hayes Pate Faulkner University 234
Day 1: 5 14-09 Total: 5 14-09
18. Jerry Brumbaugh Jr. - Quade Lobo Adrian College 233
Day 1: 5 14-07 Total: 5 14-07
19. Cameron Yates - Harrison McCall Lander University 232
Day 1: 5 14-04 Total: 5 14-04
20. Max Flatten - Jon Luke Foster Erskine College 231
Day 1: 5 14-03 Total: 5 14-03
21. Rylan Houk - Pete Shumaker East Tennessee State University 230
Day 1: 5 14-00 Total: 5 14-00
22. Cody Domingos - University of Tennessee 229
Day 1: 5 13-14 Total: 5 13-14
23. Noah Haas - Tyler Gross Purdue University 228
Day 1: 5 13-10 Total: 5 13-10
24. Jake Lovingood - Bryson Hatcher Bryan College 227
Day 1: 5 13-08 Total: 5 13-08
25. Andrew Terry - Kole Weir Bryan College 226
Day 1: 4 13-08 Total: 4 13-08
26. Alex Thigpen - Nathan Baldwin University of Alabama 225
Day 1: 5 13-07 Total: 5 13-07
27. Levi Bolton - Scooter Ligon Jr Emmanuel University 224
Day 1: 5 13-04 Total: 5 13-04
28. Tanner Paumen - Logan Allen Bryan College 223
Day 1: 5 13-03 Total: 5 13-03
29. Tanner Herndon - Mason Taylor Bryan College 222
Day 1: 5 13-02 Total: 5 13-02
30. Dylan Mcgee - Elisha Toller Kentucky Christian University 221
Day 1: 5 13-01 Total: 5 13-01
30. Skyler Stevens - Grant McCraney Faulkner University 221
Day 1: 5 13-01 Total: 5 13-01
32. Trenton Carey - Lander University 219
Day 1: 5 13-00 Total: 5 13-00
33. Daniel Litwin - Haden James James Madison University 218
Day 1: 5 12-15 Total: 5 12-15
33. Griffin Ralph - University of West Alabama 218
Day 1: 5 12-15 Total: 5 12-15
33. Brayden Ruckman - Zach Wolfe Carson-Newman University 218
Day 1: 5 12-15 Total: 5 12-15
36. Hunter Starling - William Vickery Georgia Southern University 215
Day 1: 5 12-14 Total: 5 12-14
37. Tate Turner - Judson Touchstone Auburn University 214
Day 1: 4 12-13 Total: 4 12-13
38. Szymon Piton - Riley Faulkner Carson-Newman University 213
Day 1: 5 12-10 Total: 5 12-10
39. Lane Clark - Tallis Morrison Erskine College 212
Day 1: 5 12-08 Total: 5 12-08
39. Brendan Ellis - Parker Mckee Faulkner University 212
Day 1: 5 12-08 Total: 5 12-08
39. Connor Green - Braden Bevington Faulkner University 212
Day 1: 5 12-08 Total: 5 12-08
42. Kyle Herrman - Nick Herrman Erskine College 209
Day 1: 5 12-07 Total: 5 12-07
43. Brooks Parker - Cole Edwards University of Montevallo 208
Day 1: 5 12-03 Total: 5 12-03
44. John Cooper - Cody Tiemann University of North Alabama 207
Day 1: 5 12-01 Total: 5 12-01
45. Caleb Neu - Justin Frey Bethel University 206
Day 1: 5 12-01 Total: 5 12-01
46. Tyler Zwick - Ryan Kahut Adrian College 205
Day 1: 5 11-15 Total: 5 11-15
47. Jack Myers - Nicholas Dulas Alexandria Technical And Communi 204
Day 1: 5 11-14 Total: 5 11-14
48. Wes Smith II - Caden Gettys Catawba Valley Community College 203
Day 1: 5 11-13 Total: 5 11-13
48. Wyatt Varney - Logan Buttolph Clemson University 203
Day 1: 5 11-13 Total: 5 11-13
50. Paul Baker - Chandler Cook Auburn University 201
Day 1: 5 11-11 Total: 5 11-11
50. Cole Guck - Jonah Saad Emmanuel University 201
Day 1: 5 11-11 Total: 5 11-11
50. Mason Kornegay - Kaden Raichel University of West Alabama 201
Day 1: 5 11-11 Total: 5 11-11
53. Chan Barber II - Lee Gwyn NC State University 198
Day 1: 5 11-06 Total: 5 11-06
53. Cole McNeely - Fisher Britt University of West Alabama 198
Day 1: 5 11-06 Total: 5 11-06
55. Matthew Gunn - Matthew Massey Erskine College 196
Day 1: 3 11-06 Total: 3 11-06
56. Peyton Dunn - Luke Mcguffin Emmanuel University 195
Day 1: 4 11-05 Total: 4 11-05
56. Jacob Jerrell - Cameron Seay University Of South Carolina Uni 195
Day 1: 4 11-05 Total: 4 11-05
58. Alex Geroulis - William Brogan Indiana University 193
Day 1: 5 11-04 Total: 5 11-04
59. Max Hondorp - Ridge Faircloth Troy University 192
Day 1: 5 11-03 Total: 5 11-03
59. Charlie Moomau - Matthew Delaney West Virginia University 192
Day 1: 5 11-03 Total: 5 11-03
59. Avery Padgett - Fischer Barber Troy University 192
Day 1: 5 11-03 Total: 5 11-03
62. Hunter Slone - Barrett Newton Tennessee Tech University 189
Day 1: 5 11-01 Total: 5 11-01
62. Reese Walters - Wes Kinard University of Alabama 189
Day 1: 5 11-01 Total: 5 11-01
64. Ryan Small - David Buccafuri Penn State University 187
Day 1: 5 11-00 Total: 5 11-00
65. Andrew Turner - Evan Powell Carson-Newman University 186
Day 1: 4 11-00 Total: 4 11-00
66. Brady Pinwar - Hoyt Nicely Adrian College 185
Day 1: 5 10-15 Total: 5 10-15
67. Trey Marco - Jake Rowlands Carson-Newman University 184
Day 1: 5 10-14 Total: 5 10-14
68. Devon Blevins - Lyndon Gaddy East Tennessee State University 183
Day 1: 5 10-12 Total: 5 10-12
68. Fisher Heard - Hunter Brewer University of North Alabama 183
Day 1: 5 10-12 Total: 5 10-12
68. Joe Lutz - Braden Stutts UNC - Charlotte 183
Day 1: 5 10-12 Total: 5 10-12
71. Joe Vaulton - Walker LaRue Carson-Newman University 180
Day 1: 5 10-10 Total: 5 10-10
72. Matthew Knopp - Lander University 179
Day 1: 5 10-08 Total: 5 10-08
73. Graham Flaherty - Nathan Preston Auburn University 178
Day 1: 5 10-06 Total: 5 10-06
73. Brycen Williamson - Reed Rooke Erskine College 178
Day 1: 5 10-06 Total: 5 10-06
75. Kaden Casey - Lane Parker Carson-Newman University 176
Day 1: 4 10-05 Total: 4 10-05
76. Jackson Dowdle - Shockley Hiatt UNC - Charlotte 175
Day 1: 3 10-03 Total: 3 10-03
77. Zach Knight - James Sumrell Carson-Newman University 174
Day 1: 5 10-02 Total: 5 10-02
78. Colton Boelkes - Conner Lopez University of North Alabama 173
Day 1: 5 10-01 Total: 5 10-01
79. Drew Pitts - Nicholas DellaPorta Carson-Newman University 172
Day 1: 4 09-15 Total: 4 09-15
80. Grant Laney - Mason Carden University of West Alabama 171
Day 1: 5 09-14 Total: 5 09-14
81. Easton Drennon - Chase McCarter Carson-Newman University 170
Day 1: 3 09-14 Total: 3 09-14
81. Hampton Shull - Landon Surrett Lander University 170
Day 1: 3 09-14 Total: 3 09-14
83. Cambell Hall - Tyler Eggers NC State University 168
Day 1: 5 09-13 Total: 5 09-13
83. Elijah Kelley - Kyle Smith Kentucky Christian University 168
Day 1: 5 09-13 Total: 5 09-13
85. Nick Pemberton - Jarren Crowder University of Montevallo 166
Day 1: 5 09-09 Total: 5 09-09
86. Tanner Moulton - Roper Putnam Lander University 165
Day 1: 5 09-08 Total: 5 09-08
87. Konnor Sweet - Jacob Baynes Liberty University 164
Day 1: 5 09-06 Total: 5 09-06
88. Bryce Balentine - Will Boyd Jr Florida Gateway College 163
Day 1: 5 09-05 Total: 5 09-05
89. Matthew Mitchell - University of South Carolina 162
Day 1: 5 09-03 Total: 5 09-03
90. GC Furr - Peyton Pitts Clemson University 161
Day 1: 3 09-00 Total: 3 09-00
91. Carson Hinson - UNC - Charlotte 160
Day 1: 5 08-14 Total: 5 08-14
92. Cole Mitchell - Leo Goldman High Point University 159
Day 1: 5 08-13 Total: 5 08-13
93. Michael Gammons - Jackson Thomas Emmanuel University 158
Day 1: 5 08-07 Total: 5 08-07
94. Cole Moulton - Jared Hubbard Lander University 157
Day 1: 4 08-06 Total: 4 08-06
95. Joe Mcnamara - University of North Alabama 156
Day 1: 3 08-05 Total: 3 08-05
96. Hunter Musick - Nicholas Palazzo East Tennessee State University 155
Day 1: 5 08-04 Total: 5 08-04
97. Carson Peeters - Drew Wagner University of Wisconsin - Steven 154
Day 1: 3 08-04 Total: 3 08-04
98. William Gully - Colton Odom Auburn University 153
Day 1: 5 08-03 Total: 5 08-03
99. Cole Russell - Ty Trentham University of Tennessee 152
Day 1: 4 08-03 Total: 4 08-03
100. Nolan Fernandez - JonBrady Buttram University of West Alabama 151
Day 1: 2 08-01 Total: 2 08-01
101. Hayden Short - Mason Lyons Kentucky Christian University 150
Day 1: 3 07-14 Total: 3 07-14
102. Michael Markham - David Robinson University of West Alabama 149
Day 1: 3 07-11 Total: 3 07-11
103. John Kinard - Lincoln Kinard Clemson University 148
Day 1: 4 07-10 Total: 4 07-10
104. Rylan Green - Luke McGuffin Erskine College 147
Day 1: 3 07-08 Total: 3 07-08
105. Dylan Mclaughlin - Lawton Williams Erskine College 146
Day 1: 4 07-07 Total: 4 07-07
105. Conner Nichols - Nathanael Eubank East Tennessee State University 146
Day 1: 4 07-07 Total: 4 07-07
107. Jeremy Harmon - Hayden Hart The Apprentice School Fishing Te 144
Day 1: 5 07-06 Total: 5 07-06
108. Jake Arnold - Andrew Marsh James Madison University 143
Day 1: 4 07-03 Total: 4 07-03
109. Maxwell Johnson - Carter Steed Brewton-Parker College 142
Day 1: 4 07-02 Total: 4 07-02
110. Preston Barnett - Auburn University 141
Day 1: 4 07-01 Total: 4 07-01
111. Tucker Sutherland - Brier Hardy Faulkner University 140
Day 1: 4 06-15 Total: 4 06-15
112. Aidan Ellege - Jacob Berryhill Carson-Newman University 139
Day 1: 4 06-13 Total: 4 06-13
112. Will Kimbrough - Mac Nail Georgia Southern University 139
Day 1: 4 06-13 Total: 4 06-13
114. Brendin Simich - Carter Stambelos Auburn University 137
Day 1: 4 06-11 Total: 4 06-11
115. Rebekah Boyd - Luke Ray Shelton State Community College 136
Day 1: 2 06-11 Total: 2 06-11
116. Will Hadley - Charles Garrison Kentucky Christian University 135
Day 1: 3 06-10 Total: 3 06-10
116. Knox Jones - Rock Fulton IV Auburn University 135
Day 1: 3 06-10 Total: 3 06-10
118. Gavin Seewald - Drew Turnbull University of North Alabama 133
Day 1: 3 06-09 Total: 3 06-09
119. Logan Greeno - Ty Kreis University of Nebraska - Lincoln 132
Day 1: 2 06-09 Total: 2 06-09
120. Ethan Vue - Christian Vue UNC - Charlotte 131
Day 1: 4 06-07 Total: 4 06-07
121. Paxton Giem - Gavyn Rapp Adrian College 130
Day 1: 4 06-05 Total: 4 06-05
122. Jacob Mitchell - Jordan Ramsey Marshall University 129
Day 1: 3 06-04 Total: 3 06-04
123. Evan Polley - Dakota Van Weelden Carson-Newman University 128
Day 1: 3 06-03 Total: 3 06-03
124. Mattix Durst - Jack Kropp Adrian College 127
Day 1: 3 06-02 Total: 3 06-02
125. Cole Apeldorn - Scott Pantall Penn State University 126
Day 1: 3 06-00 Total: 3 06-00
126. Leo Romano - Miller Kieran James Madison University 125
Day 1: 3 05-11 Total: 3 05-11
127. Tucker McCoy - Connor Bell University of West Alabama 124
Day 1: 3 05-09 Total: 3 05-09
128. Will Hammond - John Such Lander University 123
Day 1: 2 05-08 Total: 2 05-08
129. Cole Carr - Rance Eddleblute Adrian College 122
Day 1: 3 05-02 Total: 3 05-02
130. Steven Deschene - Hunter King Blue Mountain Christian Universi 121
Day 1: 1 05-01 Total: 1 05-01
131. Fletcher Allen - Jackson Shore UNC - Charlotte 120
Day 1: 2 04-14 Total: 2 04-14
132. Caleb Edwards - Jayden Lintner Emmanuel University 119
Day 1: 3 04-13 Total: 3 04-13
133. Ethen Gardner - Clayton Allen University of West Alabama 118
Day 1: 3 04-11 Total: 3 04-11
133. Dylan Reid - Jaxson Smoak Georgia Southern University 118
Day 1: 3 04-11 Total: 3 04-11
135. Colton Essner - Blake Davis University of Missouri 116
Day 1: 2 04-10 Total: 2 04-10
136. Anderson Keim - Palmer Parrish Clemson University 115
Day 1: 2 04-07 Total: 2 04-07
137. Jaxon Leverette - Austin Sawyer Troy University 114
Day 1: 3 04-04 Total: 3 04-04
138. Matthew Norton - Ian Schroeder UNC - Charlotte 113
Day 1: 2 04-04 Total: 2 04-04
139. Cooper Moon - Carson Holbert University of West Alabama 112
Day 1: 2 04-03 Total: 2 04-03
140. Carty Shoen - Myles Vinyard Auburn University 111
Day 1: 2 04-01 Total: 2 04-01
141. Parker Welch - Zach Widelski McKendree University 110
Day 1: 2 03-15 Total: 2 03-15
142. Evan Newell - Hunter Olivet Carson-Newman University 109
Day 1: 2 03-13 Total: 2 03-13
143. Cabe Mackey - Aden Tompkins Catawba Valley Community College 108
Day 1: 2 03-10 Total: 2 03-10
144. Scott Balas - University of Wisconsin 107
Day 1: 2 03-03 Total: 2 03-03
145. Robert Shuford - Jacob Spence NC State University 106
Day 1: 2 03-02 Total: 2 03-02
146. Robie Vines Jr - Catawba Valley Community College 105
Day 1: 1 03-02 Total: 1 03-02
147. Dyson Lewis - Cameron Chapman Catawba Valley Community College 104
Day 1: 2 03-00 Total: 2 03-00
148. Andrew Blanton - Wyatt Gabehart Lander University 103
Day 1: 2 02-14 Total: 2 02-14
148. Ryan Soles - Alexander Karp Georgia Southern University 103
Day 1: 2 02-14 Total: 2 02-14
150. Drew Kuhnle - Landon Rollison Lander University 101
Day 1: 1 02-12 Total: 1 02-12
151. Holden Mcclung - Nathan Bennett Lander University 100
Day 1: 1 02-03 Total: 1 02-03
152. Ethan Hospedales - UNC - Charlotte 99
Day 1: 1 02-01 Total: 1 02-01
153. Eli Cooke - Lucas Sheafer Erskine College 98
Day 1: 1 01-15 Total: 1 01-15
153. Anna Kay - Briley Mills Emmanuel University 98
Day 1: 1 01-15 Total: 1 01-15
153. Nicholas Taborelli - Christopher Lassalle Penn State University 98
Day 1: 1 01-15 Total: 1 01-15
156. Owen Wheeler - Bethel University 95
Day 1: 1 01-13 Total: 1 01-13
157. Dustin Swafford - Grant Wells Catawba Valley Community College 94
Day 1: 1 01-12 Total: 1 01-12
158. Owen Kirkpatrick - Jack Daniel Jmu Bass Fishing 93
Day 1: 1 01-09 Total: 1 01-09
159. Keaton Suh - John Hwang Ohio State University 92
Day 1: 1 00-06 Total: 1 00-06
160. Jake Buzin - University of South Carolina 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
160. Carter Jerdon - Nate Giaimo Ohio State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
160. Nicholas Jones - Jacob Ditton Indiana University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
160. Brayden Jordan - Troy University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
160. Ryder Kahny - Shelton State Community College 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
160. Blayne Leeman - Kentucky Christian University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
160. Dan Maciejczyk - John Meyer Penn State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
160. Mason Sills - Catawba Valley Community College 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
160. Tanner Wassilchalk - Andrew Cianflone West Virginia University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
160. Reed Williams - Emory Jackson Georgia Southern University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
160. Gary Wilmuth - Shelton State Community College 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 84 624 1520-13
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84 624 1520-13