2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship

The winner of each of the six divisions earns a Classic berth. Joining Collins at the Classic will be Charles Sim of Ontario in the Eastern Division; Fabian Rodriguez, Delaware, Mid-Atlantic; Greg Vance, Iowa, Northern; John Proctor, South Carolina, Southern; and Levi McNeill, Wyoming, Western.

None of those five anglers has ever qualified for the Classic before. Most of them couldn’t even find the words to express their excitement.


Overall, the catches on Day 3 were significantly lighter than on the previous days. Still, the biggest bass of the tournament was boated on the final day by Matthew Roberts of the Missouri B.A.S.S. Nation. It was a 5-pound, 6-ounce largemouth, the first 5-plus-pounder anyone had seen during this event. Roberts won $500 for catching the tournament’s big bass.

Jamie Laiche won the other award, the Livingston Lures Leader Award, for leading on Day 2. He earned $250.

The biggest bag of the tournament was a tie between Laiche and Collins. Laiche brought in 16-6 on the first day, and Collins brought in the same bag on the third day.

Keep up with the journey of the six competitors who qualified for the Classic over the next few months at Bassmaster.com/Nation. The Classic will take place March 4-6, 2016, and the new season for the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Regionals will resume in April 2016.