SCOTTSBORO, Ala. (Oct. 1, 2026) — Buddy Gross weighed 23 pounds, 8 ounces Thursday to take the Day 1 lead at the 2026 Ultimate Angler World Championship, presented by Unified Pros, on Lake Guntersville.
Gross, a Bassmaster Elite Series pro from Chickamauga, Ga., is fishing close to home. He calls the Tennessee River his home water, lists offshore fishing as his strength, and names Guntersville as his favorite place to fish. He has two Elite Series wins, at Lake Eufaula in his rookie season and at the Harris Chain in 2022, along with two FLW Tour titles.
His lead is eight ounces. Chris Lane is second with 23-0, and Justin Lucas is third with 22-12. RJ Sanger holds fourth at 22-4, while Cory Johnston and Ed Oilar are tied for fifth at 21-15.
Lane also weighed the biggest fish of the day at Goose Pond Colony, an 8-pound, 15-ounce largemouth that leads Day 1 Big Bass and its $10,000 payout. Sanger was next with an 8-5.
Ten anglers weighed 21-8 or better, which puts the entire top 10 within two pounds of Gross. Bryan Schmitt and Trey Swindle are tied for seventh at 21-14, followed by Chad Hall at 21-9 and Andrew Loberg at 21-8. Jacob Wheeler and Cade Law are tied for 11th at 21-7.
The 200-angler field is competing for more than $1 million in payouts, including $500,000 for first place.
Full Day 1 standings are available at Fishing Chaos.
Remaining Schedule
Friday, Oct. 2: Championship Day 2 takeoff is 7 a.m. from Goose Pond Colony. Student Conservation Day activities and the Ultimate Angler Expo both start at 9 a.m. The Day 2 weigh-in begins at 2:30 p.m., and finalists will be announced at 5 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 3: Finalists take off at 7 a.m. The Expo opens at 9 a.m., and the final weigh-in begins at 2:30 p.m. The Bass Tracker Classic XL boat giveaway announcement follows the weigh-in, along with championship awards and the crowning of the 2026 Ultimate Angler World Champion. A free concert closes the night with Micah & The Front Porch Pickers, Freebird – Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute, and headliner Hannah Dasher.
The Ultimate Angler Expo and concert are free and open to the public.
About the Ultimate Angler World Championship
Hosted by Unified Pros, the Ultimate Angler World Championship brings together 200 of the top professional and amateur anglers from across the country to compete on Lake Guntersville. The event combines elite competition with conservation initiatives, youth education programs, and community engagement while highlighting Scottsboro and Jackson County as premier outdoor destinations.
