After the first two events of the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by MillerTech, things are beginning to take shape for 7 Brew Angler of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Bass Pro Tour qualification. At the Harris Chain and Santee Cooper, we’ve seen some new faces do very well, and some more established pros fish up to or beyond their typical standard. So far, Aaron Yavorsky and Brody Campbell are setting the pace – Yavorsky is in the lead, with a win and a third-place showing, and Brody Campbell has finished fifth and second out of the gate. Notably, both are running ahead of the early pace set by Banks Shaw last year, and Alec Morrison the year before – it’s a long season, but, considering the size and quality of the field this year, it’s a very impressive start.
Here’s the Top 10 in the points after two events:
1. Aaron Yavorsky – 398 points
2. Brody Campbell – 395
3. Tyler Campbell – 374
4. Dylan Nutt – 369
5. Ryan Lachniet – 367
6. Colby Miller – 367
7. Chad Mrazek – 360
8. Carter Nutt – 360
9. Banks Shaw – 359
10. Fred Roumbanis – 357
As was the case on the Invitationals, rookies are making a big impact. This year, half of the Top 10 are rookies, and there are a lot more waiting in the wings. Still, there’s some veteran presence high in the points that is also very notable, with Fred Roumbanis slipping into the 10th spot.
1. Yavorsky starts with two wheelhouse events
The “’Scope GOAT,” Yavorsky is young and already extremely accomplished, with Bassmaster Classic and All-American appearances to his credit before he launched his boat this year. To start off, he fished at home on the Harris Chain, where he’s won before, and led on Day 1, before finishing third. Then, he won the two-day shootout at Santee Cooper handily – both times with offshore fish.
“It feels great, it’s the best start you could have,” he said. “But, we’re only two events in, there are still a lot more tournaments to come. But, it’s a really good start,”
The rest of the way, there are some events that could fit right in Yavorsky’s skill set, and some that might challenge him.
“I’ve been worrying about Wheeler a bit, I fished the BASS EQ last year, and it was the tournament that didn’t qualify me for the (Elite Series). It was kind of a struggle,” he said. “Eufaula, Oklahoma, and Douglas, I haven’t visited either of those places at all. Douglas seems like a place I could do good on, and I like Champlain, but I’m going to have to figure out what to do when the screen turns off.”
A big part of the draw for Yavorsky to enter the Pro Circuit this year was the championship on the Kissimmee Chain in September, but now he’s setting his sights even higher.
“There’s always the goal to make the BPT, but, I signed up for them just to do good,” he said. “They’re good payouts, the championship is in Florida, it set up decent for me. But now, leading Angler of the Year, there’s more in me that’s like ‘I’ve got to make the BPT.’ I’ve got to lock in.”
2. This might finally be the year for Brody Campbell
A stalwart in MLF competition recently, Brody Campbell is a threat whenever he launches the boat. Fishing the Invitationals in 2024, he finished 12th, and in 2025 he finished one point away from making the BPT. This year, it looks like he’s going to get the job done.
“It’s been a fricken blessing, especially with the Harris Chain, stumbling into a little key spot that saved me – that was a total blessing,” he said of the start. “Santee Cooper, I found the fish in practice, just freak show spots – I was kinda expecting big things there.”
Well-traveled, Brody Campbell and running-mate Chad Mrazek have put in time basically anywhere a big tournament could go. So, he’s ready for the next stop.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to Wheeler,” he said. “Me and Chad have spent countless days there, I know every stump on the river, because we’ve spent days and days out there. I don’t necessarily like the place, but I have a lot of stuff marked.”
Thriving under the new rule that allows three hours of forward-facing sonar per day, Brody Campbell is hoping to keep the roll going.
“I’m feeling really good,” he said. “It’s probably not possible, but I’d like to pull a Banks Shaw season. I know I’m that caliber of angler, where I can do that, but it’s a matter of it all coming together. If it comes close at the end of the season, I’ve put so much time in on Champlain the last few years, I feel really good about it.”
3. Tyler Campbell impressing in his rookie season
While Yavorsky and Brody Campbell (no relation) are setting the pace, Tyler Campbell is leading the rest of the pack. A transplant from a full slate of Bassmaster Opens in 2025, he’s taken to the Pro Circuit very well thus far.
“I felt good about Santee, I’ve always enjoyed that place,” he said. “But, you can look at my stats – Florida has been absolutely horrible for me. To get out of that one with a good finish was really, really important for my season.”
A part-time guide and increasingly a full-time pro, Tyler Campbell is thrilled about his good start.
“I’m still learning how to do the format,” he said of the three-hour sonar rules. “This is brand new, learning how to practice for it. It’s stressful as hell, but for the guys that are elite with it, and really dialed in, it’s good. I left a little bit on the table at Santee, I feel like, but I can’t complain about being in third so far.”
Notably, he’s ready to rock for Wheeler.
“I’m really, really excited for this next one,” he said. “It’s probably the one I’m most excited about this year – I really love the TVA. It’s by far my favorite style of fishery in the whole country. And, especially Wheeler, because it’s kind of grimy, and if you can find that one magical place, it can carry you all the way to the top.”
Bass Pro Tour race taking shape
This year, the top five in points who are not already on the Bass Pro Tour qualify for advancement – as of now, the top five would all qualify. But if Colby Miller or Banks Shaw slides into that top five, the invitations would subsequently drop down. Along with Drew Gill, Miller and Shaw are probably the best candidates to push that qualifying line down.
While there aren’t really any surprises doing well, there are a few pros off to interesting starts. Off the bat, Terry Scroggins (14th), Marshall Robinson (16th), Roumbanis (10th) and Keith Poche (22nd) are all doing well and in position to fish their way back to the BPT.
Stop 3 Presented by Suzuki Marine on Wheeler Lake should be very exciting – the fishing ought to be good, with a few species in play, and there’s a great chance we see the points battle shake up again. Though none of the top pros are likely to fall off a cliff, there’s a lot of strong Tennessee River talent in the field, no doubt looking forward to their time to shine.