Violent storms, torrential rains, and muddy water in the days leading up to the 2026 Truman Division kickoff had 66 teams concerned with finding the winning solution that would put them at the top of the Window World Leaderboard. Some say that fishing history is a bad approach to tournament strategy, while others fuss that locals have a decided advantage. What cannot be disputed is experience is invaluable when facing conditions that are in the midst of a radical change.
Kenny Sloan and Brendon Mick have been through their share of the Truman tournament wars. They relied on that vast experience to crack the code on a tough day resulting in a victory in the season opener. Their five fish limit pushed the scales to 19.27 pounds. Included in their sack was the Wilson Logistics big bass of the event, a monster 6.32 largemouth. Kenny shared their Valley Transmission Shop key to success was fishing super slow with a jig and spinnerbait in shallow bushes. They boated 14 keepers scattered throughout the day to get to their final weight.
Another veteran Truman team, Darrell Reach and John Bennett, dropped 16.77 pounds on the scales to wrangle a second place finish. They went to an old school spring tactic, fishing a lizard in the bushes, to catch their fish. Darrell and John found the conditions tough, catching only 6 keepers throughout the day, but kept the lizard wet to get the quality bites. They are proud to represent Albers Marine, Inc, Mercury Outboards, Nitro Boats and That’s a Good Fish website.
Truman Division sponsor owner Steve Fowler with Charles Edgar have been around the block a time or two and used that history to secure a third place finish. Steve noted they fished soft plastics and spinnerbaits to catch 15 keepers on an all day bite. Their best five gave them a 15.88 pound tally. Steve is happy to offer Valley Transmission Shop support to the Truman competitors.
Paired with Rich Campbell, Travis Stevens added to an 11th place finish by pulling down Top Skeeter honors for the day. Travis said they had a limit by 9:00 am then culled once during the remainder of the day. They fished from Travis’ 2025 ZX20 Skeeter.
Thank you Taylor Grubaugh Chevrolet, Buick & GMC for sponsoring the release boat!
Bucksaw Resort & Marina along with Lakes Inn is a Save-A-Receipt participant for the Truman division, so be sure and check them out for accommodations throughout the season.
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.
Welcome NAPA as a Save A Receipt sponsor with locations in Hermitage, Warsaw, and Windsor.
The second event of the 2026 Truman Division will launch from Shawnee Bend Saturday 5/17/26 with a 6:00 am takeoff.
Photos
Results
| Place | Team Members | Fish | B/F | TotWgt | Pts | Payout |
| 1 | Kenny Sloan – Brendon Mick | 5 | 6.32 | 19.27 | 220 | $4,010.00 |
| 2 | Darrell Reach – John Bennett | 5 | 4.67 | 16.77 | 219 | $1,740.00 |
| 3 | Steve Fowler – Charles Edgar | 5 | 3.71 | 15.88 | 218 | $1,170.00 |
| 4 | Marty Watson – Doug Long | 5 | 5.17 | 15.64 | 217 | $910.00 |
| 5 | Bryce Rieder – Mike Edrington | 5 | 4.14 | 15.37 | 216 | $550.00 |
| 6 | Tom VanKeirsbilck – Jacob Sloan | 5 | 3.98 | 15.27 | 215 | $350.00 |
| 7 | Kelly (Bob) Nunn – Terry Bradley | 5 | 5.12 | 15.13 | 214 | $300.00 |
| 8 | Corey Besgrove – Eddie Brown | 5 | 3.59 | 14.09 | 213 | $250.00 |
| 9 | *Garren Hunt – Bill McAvoy | 5 | 4.13 | 13.76 | 212 | $196.00 |
| 10 | Kevin Love – Fisher Love | 4 | 4.59 | 13.47 | 211 | $180.00 |
| 11 | Travis Stevens – Rich Campbell | 5 | 13.42 | 210 | $430.00 | |
| 12 | Coty Baldwin – Kris Bollinger | 5 | 4.93 | 12.37 | 209 | $180.00 |
| 13 | Robert Hime – Paul Huse | 5 | 12.15 | 208 | $180.00 | |
| 14 | Jerry McCutchen – Kevin Smith | 5 | 3.43 | 11.99 | 207 | |
| 15 | John Prochko – Diego Segui | 5 | 11.91 | 206 | ||
| 16 | Scott Hill – Brandon Hill | 5 | 11.57 | 205 | ||
| 17 | Kevin Johnston – Roger Waters | 5 | 3.53 | 11.43 | 204 | |
| 18 | Matthew Rogers – *Richard James | 4 | 11.37 | 203 | ||
| 19 | Joe Dorcy – Dene White | 3 | 4.83 | 10.97 | 202 | |
| 20 | Wayne Garrison – Billy Greenwell | 4 | 4.25 | 10.71 | 201 | |
| 21 | Aaron Colliver – Hunter Colliver | 5 | 10.45 | 200 | ||
| 22 | Lennie Becker – *Bryon Roth | 4 | 4.33 | 10.39 | 199 | |
| 23 | Desmon Carl – Tyler Glenn | 4 | 10.32 | 198 | ||
| 24 | Brad Territo – Logan Carter | 4 | 4.04 | 9.78 | 197 | |
| 25 | Jim Sloan – Jeff Stout | 4 | 9.2 | 196 | ||
| 26 | Todd Miller – Cam Miller | 4 | 4.24 | 8.79 | 195 | |
| 27 | Aaron Ragsdale – Chris Anello | 4 | 8.45 | 194 | ||
| 28 | Robert (Bobby) Shockley – Brayden Schaben | 5 | 8.41 | 193 | ||
| 29 | Timmy Newberry – Rusty Darnell | 3 | 7.63 | 192 | ||
| 30 | Bryan Baker – Darren Baker | 3 | 6.45 | 191 | ||
| 31 | Shane Voyles – Scott St. Clair | 3 | 6.4 | 190 | ||
| 32 | William Hess – Austin Hess | 3 | 6.29 | 189 | ||
| 33 | Shawn Crabtree – Reece Crabtree | 4 | 5.97 | 188 | ||
| 34 | Brian Davidson – David Williams | 2 | 5.94 | 187 | ||
| 35 | Gary Arterberry – Gus Adkinson | 2 | 5.49 | 186 | ||
| 36 | Gary Regier – Mark Frazen | 2 | 4.83 | 185 | ||
| 37 | Mark Thompson – Mark Thompson II | 4 | 4.75 | 184 | ||
| 38 | Kyle Alsop – Thomas Alsop | 2 | 4.39 | 183 | ||
| 39 | John Williams – Jim Williams | 2 | 4.09 | 182 | ||
| 40 | Adam Procter – Rhett Hill | 1 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 181 | |
| 41 | Bill Jared – Rich Carpenter | 2 | 2.91 | 180 | ||
| 42 | Scott Neumann – Darrell Williams | 1 | 2.41 | 2.41 | 179 | |
| 43 | Eric Webb – Dakota Nunnery | 1 | 2.13 | 2.13 | 178 | |
| 44 | Ron Belew – Derek Dace | 0 | 20 | |||
| Tyler Bone – Doug Blum | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Joddy Dungan – John Matousek | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Jonathan Evans – Bradley Dillon | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Dan Flood – Casey Flood | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Travis Glenn – Kerry Glenn | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Troy Hardie – Travis Fischer | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Chad Hendrick – Troy Hendrick | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Peyton Jackson – Brayden Jackson | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Noah Kelly – Dalton Zaremba | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Darrin Lankford – Kevin Pitts | 0 | 20 | ||||
| David McCormick – Gary Shartzer | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Tom McGovern – Wayne Unkel | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Mathew Miller – Ethan Miller | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Wyatt Miller – Kolin Rogers | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Winston Moulder – | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Randy Oliphant – Scott Oliphant | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Ron Peek – *fished aalone | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Chad Seiner – Brad Seiner | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Mike Thomas – Dirk Thomas | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Jordan Williams – Trevor Bartlett | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Kaden Zimmerman – Andrew Esterhold | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Eric Zuk – Ben Zuk | 0 | 20 |
*alternate