ANOTHER $1000.00 SKEETER WINNER!
A huge influx of water due to multiple strong storms coupled with an erratic discharge schedule by the ACOE led to a fast rise in the lake level that had fish scattered and in a definite feeding funk. 22 teams met at the Orleans Trail South ramp to contest the June event of the 2026 Stockton sponsored by Albers Marine, Inc. Teams shared their thoughts on a tough bite while the river teams spoke of having to scramble as the upper reaches of the lake arms had been rendered unfishable due to the inflow of muddy water and debris. It seemed clear anglers would need to make the most of every bite to make it to the top of the Window World Leaderboard.
Josh King and Logan Welch topped the field on a super tough day by bringing in a five fish limit weighing 14.36 pounds. Josh and Logan shared their Albers Marine key to success paired dragging a football jig with a topwater bite to catch their fish. They added their fish came early from areas where they could still reach the bank. Their bag was bolstered by the Wilson Logistics big bass of the event which weighed 5.32 pounds.
Rick Bowman and Jeff Moore also relied on an early bite to boat 13.59 pounds and a second place finish. They pitched jigs and a big worm in the bushes to coax their bites. Doing the bulk of their damage first thing in the morning, Rick noted their bite fell off as the day progressed. Rick and Jeff also relied on a big bite, as they used a 4.00 pounder, good enough for second big bass, to anchor their bag.
Shelby and Rachel Hutchens took the final podium position with a 11.33 pound bag. They found a “hard spot” that held some fish just outside of the bushes that held fish. They cycled through Chatterbaits and shakey heads to catch their fish.
ANOTHER $1000.00 SKEETER WINNER! Proving it pays to runner a Blackbeard Marine Skeeter, Mark and Luke Thompson added to their fourth place finish by taking another Top Skeeter award. They junk fished all day, catching fish on a Choppo, spinnerbait, frog and an A-rig, fishing everywhere from the very back of the ditches to bridge pilings to put 9.57 pounds into the livewells of Mark’s 2026 Blackbeard Marine ZXE20 Skeeter.
Special thanks to Taylor Grubaugh Chevrolet, Buick & GMC for sponsoring the newly rewrapped release boat!
Bring your empty packages of Rapala, Crush City, Storm, VMC and Suffix with your name and phone number to your next Joe Bass Tournament for a chance at a tackle pack. Drawings are done monthly throughout the tournament season.
Clear Cast marine electronics repair is continuing to support Joe Bass Team Trail. Their support of the Tournament of Champions and Staff Shootout opportunities at the Invitational is paramount to it’s success. SUPPORT their efforts! Be sure and visit their website for details for your repair and setup needs!
For trail updates, schedule changes and results Like us on Facebook & Instagram.
The fourth event of the 2026 Stockton Division will launch from Orleans Trail South Ramp Saturday 7/25 with a 6:00 am takeoff. Like us on Facebook & Instagram then send a Thank you to our sponsors.
Photos
Results
| Place | Team Members | Fish | B/F | TotWgt | Pts | Payout |
| 1 | Josh King – Logan Welch | 5 | 5.32 | 14.36 | 220 | $1,520.00 |
| 2 | Rick Bowman – Jeff Moore | 5 | 4 | 13.59 | 219 | $1,672.00 |
| 3 | Shelby Hutchens – Rachel Hutchens | 5 | 3.11 | 11.33 | 218 | |
| 4 | Mark Thompson – Luke Thompson | 5 | 2.47 | 9.57 | 217 | $1,180.00 |
| 5 | Steve Teske – Bruce Yarnell | 5 | 2.19 | 9.02 | 216 | |
| 6 | Tom Statler – Dillon Statler | 5 | 2.93 | 8.21 | 215 | |
| 7 | Mike Butcher – Justin Amershek | 3 | 3.14 | 7.79 | 214 | |
| 8 | Glenn Harrison – Ryan Stuart | 3 | 3.33 | 6.72 | 213 | |
| 9 | Rick Jones – Jeremiah Gilbert | 3 | 5.93 | 212 | ||
| 10 | Kelly Jones – Roger Satterfield | 2 | 3.8 | 5.5 | 211 | |
| 11 | Harlen Harvey – | 3 | 5.33 | 210 | ||
| 12 | Seth Glynn – Kelly (KJ) Hughes | 3 | 5.02 | 209 | ||
| 13 | Troy Hunt – Garen Hunt | 2 | 2.34 | 4.04 | 208 | |
| 14 | Dennis Edwards – Chuck Morrehead jr | 2 | 3.77 | 207 | ||
| 15 | Darrin Lankford – Kevin Pitts | 1 | 3.27 | 3.27 | 206 | |
| 16 | *John Nickels JR – Richard Johnson | 0 | 20 | |||
| Robert Cowan – Dallas Beasley | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Dan Cox – *fished aalone | 0 | 20 | ||||
| *Rod Wescott – Mike Ashbacher | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Chad Hawkins – Steve Hawkins | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Raymond Holt – | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Gerald McDaniel – Jeff Pascoe | 0 | 20 |
*alternate