RICHMOND, Va. – Lander bass fishing senior
Anderson Jones capped one of the most accomplished regular seasons in program history by winning the Strike King Bassmaster College Series event at the James River while also securing Lunkers Trail Angler of the Year honors.
Jones claimed the tournament title with a two-day total of 40 pounds, 11 ounces, finishing more than three pounds clear of the field in the 170-boat event. The victory marked his second career Bassmaster College Series win and secured his spot in the College Classic Bracket presented by Lew's.
Entering the tournament, Jones knew he would likely need a victory to overtake the points leader in the season-long Angler of the Year standings. After finishing second in the race each of the previous two seasons, the Lander senior accomplished that goal in his final regular-season event, finishing with 714 points to claim the title by two points.
Jones opened the tournament with a field-leading 23-pound, 15-ounce limit before adding 16 pounds, 10 ounces on the final day. His opening-day catch included an 8-pound, 10-ounce largemouth that earned Big Bass of the Tournament honors.
The victory is the latest accomplishment in a standout collegiate career for Jones, who previously won a Bassmaster College Series event at Clarks Hill in 2024 and captured the 2025 Bassmaster College Classic title. With his performance at the James River, Jones also became just the ninth Bassmaster College All-American in history and the third angler in Lander program history to earn the distinction.
Lander also saw another boat qualify for the Bassmaster College National Championship as
Harrison McCall and
Cameron Yates finished 10th overall with a two-day total of 30 pounds, 11 ounces.
Cole Moulton and
Jared Hubbard also secured National Championship berths by finishing among the top 20 anglers in the season-long points standings.
Jones, McCall, Yates, Moulton and Hubbard will represent the Bearcats at the 2026 Bassmaster College National Championship at Leech Lake in Minnesota later this summer.
