LA CROSSE, Wis. — Tom Monsoor’s fish aren’t where they’re gonna be, but they’re on the way. Intercepting them en route delivered a Day 1 limit of 19 pounds, 6 ounces, which leads the Bassmaster Open at Upper Mississippi River.
“The (bass) just got done eating the bedding sunfish,” said Monsoor, the La Crosse pro that won last month’s B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier tournament at Upper Mississippi River. “Being a local, I know where some are gonna go and they weren’t there.
“I thought, ‘Man, this is gonna be a bummer,’ but where I didn’t think I was gonna get ’em I did get ’em. They’re in transition right now. A few of them started to get to a couple of spots. Hopefully, there will be more coming.”
Monsoor said his practice did not leave him with high expectations, so he was pleasantly surprised by what the tournament’s opening round produced.
“I didn’t think I was going to do good at all; I was hoping I’d catch a limit,” Monsoor said. “During practice, you catch one fish in a spot and you leave, so you don’t know what’s there. I went back today and caught a couple of nice ones in each spot.”
Following Wednesday’s rainy conditions, Day 1 dawned with a cloudy, dreary look that yielded to partly sunny skies by midday. Monsoor said the day’s complexion did not impact his productivity. In his view, it was all about seasonal movements.
With the event launching out of Pool 8, tournament waters also include pools 7 and 9. Monsoor committed his time to the local pool and fished grass edges. Renowned for his swim jig prowess, Monsoor put that reaction bait to work and caught all but one of his fish that way. Monsoor also caught one of the fish he weighed on an urchin style bait.
“In practice, I caught my biggest fish on an urchin, so I had to throw it,” Monsoor said. “I caught a 3-10 on it today.”
With this round tentacled bait literally dominating the 2026 bass tournament scene, Monsoor’s old-school mindset had him resisting this bait phenomenon as long as possible. He finally relented and started making his own urchins — but he fishes them his way.
“I fished the urchin on my swim jig without a skirt,” Monsoor said. “It’s perfect; it has a weight, it has a hook, and it has a keeper. I have some old swim jigs with a Gamakatsu EWG hook that’s extra long and it’s perfect for big urchins.”
Looking ahead to Day 2, Monsoor said he’s planning to repeat his Day 1 game plan, but he’s making no assumptions.
“Today was a fun day, but tomorrow, you can’t expect that again,” he said. “I’ll just go fishing and see what happens.”
Aiden Denzer, also of La Crosse, is in second place with 17-10. After experiencing what he described as the best practice he’s ever had on these waters, Denzer got his business handled in short order.
“I caught (my weight) in an hour and a half and then I went prefishing the rest of the day,” Denzer said of his limit that comprised three smallmouth and two largemouth.
Trusting his local knowledge, Denzer remained in Pool 8. With a keen understanding of the river’s dynamics, he said targeting an area with significant current flow was the key to minimizing the impact of a low, muddy river.
“I fished slow with bottom baits,” Denzer said. “I think they’re in a weird stage right now where they’re trying to get on shad, but they’re still on crawfish. I’m just trying to match the hatch.”
Anchoring his bag with a 4-pounder, Denzer said he’s hopeful that the area he found can carry him through the event’s final day.
“I tried to save some for tomorrow and Saturday,” Denzer said of his decision to lay off his fish after securing what he felt was a strong first-round limit. “I hope I can do it again tomorrow. Smallmouth tend to move a lot here.”
Alex Wetherell of Middletown, Conn., is in third place with 17-6. After his best practice spot failed to produce today, Wetherell rotated through several of his options and pieced together a solid performance.
“I tried to balance saving some stuff for tomorrow and having enough for today,” Wetherell said. “Around 9 a.m. I didn’t have a fish, so I ran everything else and thankfully, I got some good bites. I had a 4-pound, 14-ounce largemouth and a 4-pound smallmouth.
“I stayed in Pool 8 and ran probably 20 different spots. On one spot, I was able to get four to five fish, but for the most part, I’m looking for one good bite on each spot.”
Wetherell said he fished a mix of mats, rock and laydowns. His bait selection included soft plastics and crankbaits.
Wetherell holds the Big Bass lead with a 4-14.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. CT at Veterans Freedom Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 2:30 p.m.
2026 Div 2 Open 4 Tournament on Mississippi River 6/18-6/20
Mississippi River, La Crosse WI.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Tom Monsoor La Crosse, WI 5 19-06 0
Day 1: 5 19-06
2. Aiden Denzer La Crosse, WI 5 17-10 0
Day 1: 5 17-10
3. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 17-06 200
Day 1: 5 17-06
4. Reece Keeney Winneconne, WI 5 16-11 0
Day 1: 5 16-11
5. Kyle Von Ruden Stoddard, WI 5 16-01 0
Day 1: 5 16-01
6. Brock Bila Republic, MO 5 15-13 199
Day 1: 5 15-13
7. Nick Lawler Ava, MO 5 15-07 198
Day 1: 5 15-07
7. Matt Stefan Junction City, WI 5 15-07 198
Day 1: 5 15-07
9. Brent Shores Savannah, TN 5 15-06 196
Day 1: 5 15-06
10. Nate Caldwell Fort Collins, CO 5 15-04 195
Day 1: 5 15-04
10. Casey Scanlon Eldon, MO 5 15-04 195
Day 1: 5 15-04
12. Dan Mohn Lansing, IA 5 15-02 0
Day 1: 5 15-02
13. Dylan Fogarty Mechanicsburg, PA 5 15-01 193
Day 1: 5 15-01
13. Nick Marsh White Lake, MI 5 15-01 193
Day 1: 5 15-01
15. Trace Freeman Northport, AL 5 14-11 191
Day 1: 5 14-11
16. Ryan Michl Newton, IL 5 14-10 190
Day 1: 5 14-10
17. Kevin Ruh Onalaska, WI 5 14-07 0
Day 1: 5 14-07
18. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 14-06 189
Day 1: 5 14-06
18. Jeremy Lawyer Sarcoxie, MO 5 14-06 189
Day 1: 5 14-06
18. Nic Rand Paw Paw, MI 5 14-06 189
Day 1: 5 14-06
21. Kyle Seubert Chaseburg, WI 5 14-04 0
Day 1: 5 14-04
22. Andy Newcomb Camdenton, MO 5 14-03 186
Day 1: 5 14-03
23. Brody Robison Dawson, AL 5 14-02 185
Day 1: 5 14-02
24. Cody Bird Granbury, TX 5 13-15 184
Day 1: 5 13-15
24. Brian Fitzpatrick La Crosse, WI 5 13-15 184
Day 1: 5 13-15
26. Mike Brueggen La Crosse, WI 5 13-14 0
Day 1: 5 13-14
27. Chris Beaudrie Princeton, KY 5 13-13 182
Day 1: 5 13-13
27. Wyatt Marler Oldfield, MO 5 13-13 182
Day 1: 5 13-13
29. Brian Post Janesville, WI 5 13-11 180
Day 1: 5 13-11
30. Nick Leblanc North Prairie, WI 5 13-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-09
30. Hunter Litchfield Macomb, IL 5 13-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-09
32. Rick Harris Jr Carlsbad, NM 5 13-07 179
Day 1: 5 13-07
32. Blake Schroeder Bullard, TX 5 13-07 179
Day 1: 5 13-07
32. Lane Stephens Owasso, OK 5 13-07 179
Day 1: 5 13-07
35. Devin Teigen Nelson, WI 5 13-06 0
Day 1: 5 13-06
36. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 5 13-05 176
Day 1: 5 13-05
36. Eddie Carper Valliant, OK 5 13-05 176
Day 1: 5 13-05
38. Jacob Welch Roach, MO 5 13-04 174
Day 1: 5 13-04
39. Joseph Hardy China Spring, TX 5 13-03 173
Day 1: 5 13-03
39. Cade Laufenberg Onalaska, WI 5 13-03 0
Day 1: 5 13-03
41. Austin Brimeyer Dubuque, IA 5 13-02 0
Day 1: 5 13-02
41. Clay Henderson Purdy, MO 5 13-02 172
Day 1: 5 13-02
43. Zane Parker Kingwood, TX 5 13-01 171
Day 1: 5 13-01
44. Wyatt Burkhalter Coker, AL 5 13-00 170
Day 1: 5 13-00
44. Evan Cox-VanVliet Loveland, CO 5 13-00 170
Day 1: 5 13-00
46. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 5 12-15 168
Day 1: 5 12-15
47. Hunter Crossland San Angelo, TX 5 12-14 167
Day 1: 5 12-14
47. Sho Egawa Osaka JAPAN 5 12-14 167
Day 1: 5 12-14
49. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 5 12-13 165
Day 1: 5 12-13
50. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 5 12-12 164
Day 1: 5 12-12
50. Grant Neubauer Medford, WI 5 12-12 164
Day 1: 5 12-12
52. Harmon Marien Eagle River, WI 5 12-11 162
Day 1: 5 12-11
52. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 5 12-11 162
Day 1: 5 12-11
52. Ryan Thompson Seymour, MO 5 12-11 162
Day 1: 5 12-11
55. Nick Dumke Grand Rapids, MN 5 12-09 159
Day 1: 5 12-09
56. Joe Wieberg Freeburg, MO 5 12-08 158
Day 1: 5 12-08
57. Bailey Gay Union, KY 5 12-07 157
Day 1: 5 12-07
58. Ty Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 5 12-06 156
Day 1: 5 12-06
59. Adam Hamann Prairie Du Chien, IA 5 12-05 155
Day 1: 5 12-05
59. Riley Harris Orange, TX 5 12-05 155
Day 1: 5 12-05
59. Cameron Mattison Benton, LA 5 12-05 155
Day 1: 5 12-05
59. Trevor McKinney Noble, IL 5 12-05 155
Day 1: 5 12-05
59. Danny Ramsey Trinidad, TX 5 12-05 155
Day 1: 5 12-05
64. John Branch Magnolia, KY 5 12-04 150
Day 1: 5 12-04
64. Lonnie Cochran Section, AL 5 12-04 150
Day 1: 5 12-04
64. Luke Kerstetter Seymour, TN 5 12-04 150
Day 1: 5 12-04
64. Garrett McWilliams Florence, MS 5 12-04 150
Day 1: 5 12-04
68. Kollin Crawford Broken Bow, OK 5 12-03 146
Day 1: 5 12-03
68. Michael Harlin Osage Beach, MO 5 12-03 146
Day 1: 5 12-03
68. Lucas Toliver Paw Paw, MI 5 12-03 146
Day 1: 5 12-03
68. Dylan Welton Middleville, MI 5 12-03 146
Day 1: 5 12-03
72. Justin Yenter Stevens Point, WI 5 12-01 142
Day 1: 5 12-01
73. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 5 12-00 141
Day 1: 5 12-00
74. Easton Lindus Woodville, WI 5 11-15 140
Day 1: 5 11-15
74. Fernando Lobato Sparta, WI 5 11-15 0
Day 1: 5 11-15
76. Ian Waterer East Selkirk CANADA 5 11-14 139
Day 1: 5 11-14
77. Wesley Baxley Conroe, TX 5 11-13 138
Day 1: 5 11-13
77. Kevin Ledoux Choctaw, OK 5 11-13 138
Day 1: 5 11-13
77. Mike McClelland Blue Eye, MO 5 11-13 138
Day 1: 5 11-13
80. Brennan Flick West Monroe, LA 4 11-13 135
Day 1: 4 11-13
81. Tracy Mitchell Springfield, MO 4 11-12 134
Day 1: 4 11-12
82. Jordan Hartman Benton, KY 5 11-10 133
Day 1: 5 11-10
82. Chris Johnson Farmington, AR 5 11-10 133
Day 1: 5 11-10
82. Jace Lindsay Beckville, TX 5 11-10 133
Day 1: 5 11-10
85. David Boelkins Waukesha, WI 5 11-09 130
Day 1: 5 11-09
85. Jason Horton Eucha, OK 5 11-09 0
Day 1: 5 11-09
85. Jonathan Pimentel Camdenton, MO 5 11-09 130
Day 1: 5 11-09
88. Gary Hall Wardville, OK 4 11-09 128
Day 1: 4 11-09
89. Rylan Hamlin Jackson, MI 5 11-08 127
Day 1: 5 11-08
89. Hayden Marbut Birmingham, AL 5 11-08 127
Day 1: 5 11-08
89. Nathan Thompson Eagan, MN 5 11-08 127
Day 1: 5 11-08
89. Zachary Ward Cabot, AR 5 11-08 127
Day 1: 5 11-08
93. Scott Nielsen Murray, UT 5 11-07 123
Day 1: 5 11-07
94. Byron Hill Clermont, FL 5 11-06 122
Day 1: 5 11-06
94. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 5 11-06 122
Day 1: 5 11-06
96. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 11-05 120
Day 1: 5 11-05
96. Steve Lee Minneapolis, MN 5 11-05 0
Day 1: 5 11-05
96. Wyatt Wisian Ardmore, OK 5 11-05 120
Day 1: 5 11-05
99. Ken Day Kennewick, WA 5 11-04 118
Day 1: 5 11-04
99. Jim Dillard West Monroe, LA 5 11-04 118
Day 1: 5 11-04
99. Seiji Kato Forney TX JAPAN 5 11-04 118
Day 1: 5 11-04
99. Frank Scalish Mount Gilead, OH 5 11-04 118
Day 1: 5 11-04
103. Casey Goode La Crosse, WI 5 11-03 0
Day 1: 5 11-03
104. Josh Cruse Pocahontas, AR 5 11-02 0
Day 1: 5 11-02
105. Cole McAusland Tuscaloosa, AL 5 11-01 114
Day 1: 5 11-01
106. Yui Aoki Minamitsurugun JAPAN 5 10-15 113
Day 1: 5 10-15
106. Andrew Jones Trussville, AL 5 10-15 113
Day 1: 5 10-15
108. Darold Gleason Leesville, LA 5 10-14 111
Day 1: 5 10-14
108. Walker Krampitz Waseca, MN 5 10-14 0
Day 1: 5 10-14
108. Ryan Salzman Huntsville, AL 5 10-14 111
Day 1: 5 10-14
111. Tim Sprouse Clarksville, TN 5 10-13 109
Day 1: 5 10-13
111. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 10-13 109
Day 1: 5 10-13
113. Jordan Knutson Saint Croix Falls, WI 5 10-12 107
Day 1: 5 10-12
114. Josh Keeney Winneconne, WI 4 10-12 0
Day 1: 4 10-12
114. Tyler Wolf Creston, IA 4 10-12 106
Day 1: 4 10-12
116. Jeremiah Kindy Benton, AR 5 10-11 105
Day 1: 5 10-11
117. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 4 10-11 104
Day 1: 4 10-11
118. Ish Monroe Oakdale, CA 5 10-10 103
Day 1: 5 10-10
119. Tommy Parker Delano, MN 4 10-10 102
Day 1: 4 10-10
120. Josh Pladies Lees Summit, MO 5 10-09 101
Day 1: 5 10-09
121. Wyatt Becker LaCrosse, WI 5 10-08 0
Day 1: 5 10-08
121. Jaron Burr Bowling Green, KY 5 10-08 100
Day 1: 5 10-08
121. Tyler Fitch Fall River, WI 5 10-08 100
Day 1: 5 10-08
124. Sam Ausbrooks Loogootee, IN 5 10-07 98
Day 1: 5 10-07
125. Bryan Partak Marseilles, IL 5 10-06 97
Day 1: 5 10-06
126. Dillon Falardeau Hixson, TN 5 10-05 96
Day 1: 5 10-05
126. Niko Romero Coldspring, TX 5 10-05 96
Day 1: 5 10-05
128. Kyle Metzger Pearl River, LA 4 10-05 94
Day 1: 4 10-05
129. Hugh Cosculluela Spring, TX 4 10-04 93
Day 1: 4 10-04
130. Chris Miller Spirit Lake, IA 5 10-03 92
Day 1: 5 10-03
131. Nathan Reynolds Florence, AL 5 10-02 91
Day 1: 5 10-02
132. Brandyn Baum La Crosse, WI 4 10-02 0
Day 1: 4 10-02
132. Andrew Behnke Fond Du Lac, WI 4 10-02 90
Day 1: 4 10-02
134. Colby Bryant Houston, TX 5 10-01 89
Day 1: 5 10-01
135. Chris Hellebuyck White Lake, MI 5 10-00 88
Day 1: 5 10-00
135. Jeremiah Shaver Holmen, WI 5 10-00 0
Day 1: 5 10-00
135. Tanner Visco Antioch, IL 5 10-00 88
Day 1: 5 10-00
138. Anthony Garcia Los Angeles, CA 4 10-00 86
Day 1: 4 10-00
138. Brad Jelinek Lincoln, MO 4 10-00 86
Day 1: 4 10-00
140. Tyler Smith Troup, TX 5 09-15 84
Day 1: 5 09-15
141. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 09-12 83
Day 1: 5 09-12
142. Glenn Walker Savage, MN 4 09-09 0
Day 1: 4 09-09
143. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 4 09-07 82
Day 1: 4 09-07
144. Yukihiro Sawamura Harker Heights, TX 5 09-06 81
Day 1: 5 09-06
145. Joey Hanna Corsicana, TX 5 09-03 80
Day 1: 5 09-03
146. Brennan Berglund Guntersville, AL 5 09-02 79
Day 1: 5 09-02
147. Andy Beloat Montgomery, TX 4 09-02 78
Day 1: 4 09-02
148. Troy Sullivan Dillsboro, IN 5 09-00 0
Day 1: 5 09-00
149. Blaine Bunney Claremore, OK 4 09-00 77
Day 1: 4 09-00
150. John Engler III Vinton, IA 4 08-09 76
Day 1: 4 08-09
151. David Perdue Wirtz, VA 4 08-07 75
Day 1: 4 08-07
152. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 4 08-02 74
Day 1: 4 08-02
153. Devon Dvorak Keystone, IA 3 08-02 0
Day 1: 3 08-02
153. Nick Trim Galesville, WI 3 08-02 0
Day 1: 3 08-02
155. Kristine Fischer Spring City, NE 3 08-00 73
Day 1: 3 08-00
156. Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 4 07-15 72
Day 1: 4 07-15
157. Riley Nielsen Salt Lake City, UT 3 07-13 71
Day 1: 3 07-13
158. Dalton Head Moody, AL 4 07-10 70
Day 1: 4 07-10
159. Kyle Palmer Elora, TN 5 07-07 69
Day 1: 5 07-07
160. Doug Chapin Tigerton, WI 3 07-06 68
Day 1: 3 07-06
160. Ethan Fields Carlyle, IL 3 07-06 68
Day 1: 3 07-06
162. Wade Denney Nampa, ID 2 07-06 66
Day 1: 2 07-06
163. Brandon Ackerson Afton, OK 4 07-04 65
Day 1: 4 07-04
164. Steven Huegerich Bloomfield, IA 4 07-00 0
Day 1: 4 07-00
165. Lance Owen Greer, SC 2 06-13 64
Day 1: 2 06-13
166. Marcus Livingston Augusta, WI 3 06-12 63
Day 1: 3 06-12
167. Jack York Emory, TX 2 06-08 62
Day 1: 2 06-08
168. TJ Edwards Jr Tremont, MS 3 06-04 61
Day 1: 3 06-04
169. Ethen Preston Tower City, ND 3 06-03 0
Day 1: 3 06-03
170. Steve Tennison Lexington, OK 3 06-02 60
Day 1: 3 06-02
171. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 3 06-01 59
Day 1: 3 06-01
172. Chris Bailey Eddy, TX 3 06-00 58
Day 1: 3 06-00
173. Matt Pangrac Shawnee, OK 2 05-08 57
Day 1: 2 05-08
174. Frank Mixon Abilene, TX 2 05-06 56
Day 1: 2 05-06
175. Jack Webb Trempealeau, WI 3 05-04 0
Day 1: 3 05-04
176. David Brand Dittmer, MO 2 05-02 55
Day 1: 2 05-02
177. Peyton Harris Birmingham, AL 2 04-07 54
Day 1: 2 04-07
178. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 2 04-06 53
Day 1: 2 04-06
179. James Chandler Liberty, TX 2 04-04 52
Day 1: 2 04-04
180. Jason Pruess Haysville, KS 2 04-02 51
Day 1: 2 04-02
181. Dylan Minch Stevens Point, WI 2 03-11 50
Day 1: 2 03-11
182. Rick Pierce Mountain Home, AR 2 03-10 49
Day 1: 2 03-10
183. Darrell Ivey Lebanon, MO 1 03-01 48
Day 1: 1 03-01
184. Bj Miller Adams, NE 1 02-05 47
Day 1: 1 02-05
185. A.J. Menssen Bloomington, IL 1 02-00 46
Day 1: 1 02-00
186. Cody Bertrand Dyer, IN 1 01-08 45
Day 1: 1 01-08
187. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 1 01-05 44
Day 1: 1 01-05
188. Colby Dark West Monroe, LA 1 01-01 43
Day 1: 1 01-01
189. Jason Adams Guthrie, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
189. Keegan Bollman Charles City, IA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
189. James Campise Brookeland, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
189. Lance Crawford Broken Bow, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
189. Alex Heintze Denham Springs, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
189. Bryan Hoffman Andrews, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
189. Matt Keezer Kirkland Quebec CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
189. Justin Latham Reelsville, IN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
189. Brad Leuthner Victoria, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
189. Anastasia Patterson Sumter, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
189. Larry Peterson II Hammond, WI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
189. Mikey Weems Hull, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
189. Cory Williams Greenville, KY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 133 830 2039-15
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133 830 2039-15