WACO, Texas — It’s always football season in Texas, and that held particularly true on Lake Waco, where 8- and 9-pound bass were game-changers for the Top 10 Bass Pro Tour anglers gunning for the $125,000 grand prize and trophy during the Championship Round of Champion Teamwear Stage 3 Presented by MillerTech.
But not even those fat footballs could stand up against the attack Zack Birge staged on Lake Waco. The Oklahoma angler took a commanding 16-pound lead at the end of Period 1 with 36 pounds, 10 ounces on 12 scorable bass. He kept the competition at arm’s length throughout Period 2, closing it with an advantage of more than 13 pounds. Then, in the home stretch, Birge exploded, pushing his lead to more than 30 pounds with 75-1 on 27 scorable bass.
Following his Stage 3 victory, Birge and the rest of the Top 10 anglers hit the Post Game Show stage to discuss the Championship Round experience and celebrate Birge’s victory with family, friends, and fans.