MLF Presents: 2026 Redcrest

A Bass-Fishing Spectacle at Table Rock Lake

In mid-April 2026, an air of anticipation will sweep across the Ozarks as Table Rock Lake transforms into the epicenter of professional bass fishing. This majestic reservoir near Springfield, Missouri, will host Bass Pro Shops REDCREST, the championship of the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour, from April 17–19. For the first time in event history, the championship will take place amid the pristine beauty of the Bass Pro Shops National Headquarters — a fitting testament to the brand’s roots and reverence for angling tradition.

A sleek fusion of elite competition and outdoor festival, REDCREST brings together 35 of the world’s top bass anglers, each battling for the seventh REDCREST championship trophy and a top prize of $300,000 (Major League Fishing). The lineup is a who’s who of bass-fishing royalty — names that stir excitement among fans and command respect on the water:

Adrian Avena (Vineland, NJ), Matt Becker (Ten Mile, TN), Zack Birge (Blanchard, OK), Keith Carson (DeBary, FL), three-time REDCREST winner Dustin Connell (Clanton, AL), Justin Cooper (Zwolle, LA), Mark Daniels Jr. (Tuskegee, AL), Mark Davis (Mount Ida, AR), Ott DeFoe (Blaine, TN), Brent Ehrler (Redlands, CA), James Elam (Tulsa, OK), Edwin Evers (Talala, OK), Todd Faircloth (Jasper, TX), Cole Floyd (Leesburg, OH), Drew Gill (Mount Carmel, IL), Nick Hatfield (Greeneville, TN), Marshall Hughes (Hemphill, TX), John Hunter (Shelbyville, KY), Alton Jones Jr. (Waco, TX), Jake Lawrence (Paris, TN), Justin Lucas (Guntersville, AL), Colby Miller (Elmer, LA), Michael Neal (Dayton, TN), Ron Nelson (Berrien Springs, MI), Takahiro Omori (Tokyo, Japan), Spencer Shuffield (Hot Springs, AR), Jeff Sprague (Wills Point, TX), Wesley Strader (Spring City, TN), Matteo Turano (Puryear, TN), Jacob Wall (New Hope, AL), Jacob Wheeler (Harrison, TN) — plus several slots reserved for the 2025 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Champion, the 2025 Toyota Series Boater Champion, the highest-finishing College Fishing National Champion at the Toyota Series Championship, and the International Division Winner at the Toyota Series Championship.

Imagine the energy: 35 anglers from across the nation, and one from Japan, converging on Table Rock’s shimmering waters for three days of intense pursuit. MLF’s signature catch-weigh-immediate-release format heightens the stakes, feeding real-time results through SCORETRACKER® with live coverage on MLFNOW! and www.MajorLeagueFishing.com .

But REDCREST is more than a showdown—it’s a celebration. Fans gathering at the Bass Pro Shops campus will discover a three-day Outdoor Sports Expo, a vibrant, open-air festival teeming with top-tier gear displays, interactive brand booths, casting challenges for youngsters, live entertainment, and savory food experiences to savor (Major League Fishing). Meanwhile, on-water action plays out in cinematic fashion, with every catch captured and celebrated in real time.

The championship extends beyond competition. It pulses with community connection as anglers visit local schools, give back with lake cleanups, and host meet-and-greets with fans. A White River Marine owner’s tournament runs alongside, offering everyday anglers a spotlight moment during the Championship Sunday postgame show.

There’s something poetic in the venue: Table Rock Lake’s clear waters, rocky banks, and dynamic spring patterns will test every angler’s adaptability. Bass shifting into spawning zones, changing weather, and variable depths promise a chess match of skill and instinct. Coupled with the Ozarks’ awe-inspiring vistas, REDCREST 2026 gains the air of something epic—an event as worthy of the scenery as of the sport’s best.

As daylight fades on April 19, one angler will stand triumphant, holding the REDCREST trophy aloft. But win or lose, all who attend—competitors, fans, and families—will carry away memories bathed in Ozark springtime light, echoes of cheering crowds, and the reverent stillness of a lunker hitting the scale.

REDCREST 2026 at Table Rock Lake isn’t just a championship; it’s a convergence of history, heart, and high-stakes angling.

info from: www.majorleaguefishing.com