Barthelt Secures the Win in a Dynamic Pool 8 Battle

By Paul Switzer

The Maple Bassmasters continued their 2026 season on May 3rd on the Mississippi River out of La Crosse, Wisconsin, launching from Stoddard and taking on the ever-changing waters of Pool 8.

Early May conditions had the fish in a transitional phase, with a mix of prespawn and spawning behavior shaping the bite. While expectations were high heading into the event, practice revealed a different story.

Brian Barthelt summed it up best: “Many of the areas that had produced in previous years simply weren’t firing the same way. Instead of dialing in a winning pattern early, practice became more about eliminating water and narrowing down productive stretches.”

A Changing River and a Reloading Pattern

Barthelt ultimately found success by committing to a relatively small, high-percentage area in Pool 8. The stretch—roughly a half mile long—featured a mix of laydowns, a bridge, and a nearby wingdam, all holding fish in different ways throughout the day.

Barthelt and co-angler Joe Adam, 2nd place, were able to break down the area efficiently, capitalizing on how fish positioned differently depending on cover and current. Largemouth related to wood, particularly laydowns, while smallmouth were more tied to current-driven structure like the bridge and wingdam.

Some of the better smallmouth came from just outside submerged trees in about seven feet of water, possibly staging or beginning to spawn. The key factor, however, was consistency.

“We were able to fish in a circle and the spots just kept reloading,” Barthelt noted.

Both anglers reported catching over 30 fish throughout the day, though the Mississippi reminded everyone that quantity doesn’t always equal quality—many of those fish fell short of the 14-inch minimum.

Winning Patterns & Baits

Barthelt leaned on a versatile mix of presentations to cover the range of conditions:

• Texas-rigged Chigger Craws (green pumpkin variations) around wood, grass, and wingdams
• Ned rigs for current breaks and structure
• A fast-moving Chigger Craw on a Biffle Head around bridge pilings

The ability to rotate between finesse and power presentations proved critical, especially with fish spread across multiple types of cover.

Top Finishers

• 1st Place – Brian Barthelt

5 fish, 14.38 lbs (Big Bass: 3.27 lbs)

• 2nd Place – Joe Adam

5 fish, 12.28 lbs

Fishing alongside Barthelt, Adam capitalized on the same productive water to secure a strong second-place finish.

• 3rd Place – Ed Lopez

4 fish, 9.94 lbs (Big Bass: 3.84 lbs)

• 4th Place – Mike Utermark

3 fish, 5.52 lbs

Joe Adam- 2nd Place            Ed Lopez- 3rd Place

Grinding It Out

For many anglers, it was a day of missed opportunities and near limits.

Ed Lopez, 3rd place finisher, didn’t boat his first keeper until around midday, relying on a Ned rig to generate bites. Despite catching plenty of short fish, he was unable to find a fifth keeper before time ran out.

A key adjustment for Lopez came in downsizing his line from 12 lb to 8 lb, which immediately increased bites—another reminder that small details made a big difference under tough conditions.

Mike Utermark- 4th Place The Pattern

Even with a wide-open fishery, a few trends stood out:

• Fish were spread across multiple types of cover, from laydowns to current-driven structure
• Current played a major role in positioning active fish
• Productive areas featured multiple elements and continued to reload
• Versatility—rather than committing to one approach—was key

It was a classic Mississippi River event: plenty of bites, constant adjustments, and just enough chaos to keep everyone guessing.

Angler of the Year Race

With three events now complete, the Angler of the Year race is beginning to take shape. Strong finishes from anglers like Brian Barthelt and Joe Adam have positioned them early, but with a long schedule ahead and multiple events still to come, the standings remain wide open.

Consistency will be the deciding factor—avoiding low finishes and capitalizing on opportunities like La Crosse will separate contenders from the rest as the season progresses.

Current AOY Standings

Up Next

The club heads next to the Kalamazoo River, another fishery known for rewarding anglers who can adjust to changing conditions.

2026 Schedule (What’s Ahead)

• May 17 – Kalamazoo River
• June 7 – Lake Wisconsin
• June 20 – Lake Delavan
• June 28 – Green Lake
• July 25–26 – Sister Bay (Door County)
• Aug 16 – Spring Lake (MI)
• Aug 23 – Lake Michigan (East Chicago)
• Aug 29–30 – Lake of Egypt (State Practice)
• Sept 20 – St. Joe River
• Sept 26–27 – Classic (TBD)

Join the Club

The Maple Bassmasters continue to welcome both boaters and co-anglers for the 2026 season.

As part of Illinois B.A.S.S. Nation, members compete in a full tournament schedule while earning points toward Angler of the Year standings and qualification opportunities, including the State Championship.

Whether you’re a seasoned tournament angler or just getting started, the club offers a great opportunity to compete, learn, and spend more time on the water.

👉 Learn more: https://maplebassmasters.com/