Tuesday Night LIVE Comes to Table Rock

Tuesday Night LIVE Comes to Table Rock

Written By: Dave Rush

Get ready for a bass fishing event unlike anything you’ve seen before. On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Elite Series pros are trading the big stage for a down-home, grassroots showdown as Tuesday Night LIVE on Table Rock takes over Mill Creek Boat Ramp in Kimberling City, Missouri.

This first of its kind competition brings together eight top tier Elite Series pros, four boats, two legendary hosts, and five powerhouse brands, all battling it out for a $5,000 first-place prize provided by event sponsors AFTCO, Beatdown Outdoors, Gamakatsu, SPRO, and Sunline.

The action kicks off at 4:00 PM Central when anglers arrive at the ramp for pre-tournament prep and plenty of banter with hosts Dave Mercer and Mark Zona. At 4:30 PM, it’s blast-off time. From 4:30 to 7:30 PM, the competition heats up as teams fish Table Rock in a fast-paced, three-hour shootout. At 7:30 PM, the boats return for a classic, no-frills weigh-in, just like your local Tuesday night jackpot.

The stacked lineup features an all-star cast of legendary pillars of the sport and young guns eager to go head-to-head on one of bass fishing’s most iconic lakes.  This format will be a traditional team format, pairing two anglers based on voting by you the fans.  We’ve already picked the boaters, and it will be up to the voting public to determine who’s going to be their partner.  Let’s look at the anglers that will be competing on Tuesday Night LIVE and how they stack up. 

Boaters

  • Drew Cook: 2019 Bassmaster Elite Rookie of the Year with five Top 20 and three Top 10 finishes; Elite Series event winner (2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes), including over 100 lbs and a Century Belt. Cook is known as one of the most consistent anglers on tour and a sight fishing expert. If the fish are spawning look for Cook to find the big ones up shallow at Table Rock.
  • Drew Benton: 2016 Rookie of the Year, and two-time Elite Series winner with multiple Top 10 finishes. Benton is dangerous any time of the year but is particularly one angler to watch anywhere in the country during the month of April.
  • Bryan New: New burst onto the scene with an Elite Series victory in his debut tournament and hasn’t slowed down since. He was the 2020 Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year, and is a proven closer on the biggest stage in bass fishing. His versatility will make him one to watch during this high paced, high stake event.
  • Kyle Welcher: Bassmaster Elite Series veteran and 2023 Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year, known for dominating performances including a massive, record-shattering Century Belt win with a 118-12 total and the largest margin of victory in Elite history at the Pasquotank River. Welcher can mix it up with the best of them, and cut his teeth fishing jackpot style events and still loves to participate in them any time he gets a chance.

Non-Boaters

  • Chris Johnston: Consistency personified, an Elite Series winner and back-to-back Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year winner.  Johnston is a perennial threat with a long list of Top 10 finishes and adds some Canadian flare to the competition.  He will be a solid addition to anyone’s boat at the Tuesday Night LIVE tournament.
  • Mike Iaconelli: Bassmaster Elite Series legend with 27+ years on tour, Bassmaster Classic and Angler of the Year champion, one of the only anglers to win at every major B.A.S.S. level, and a fan favorite known for his passionate “Never give up!” attitude. In 2026 Ike announced this will be his final full Elite Series season as he pivots toward new creative projects, family time, and giving back to the sport that made him a household name. Ike is looking to add a Tuesday Night LIVE tournament victory to his career resume.
  • Jason Christie: Bassmaster Classic champion and multiple-time Elite Series winner, widely regarded as the most feared angler in professional bass fishing, known for relentless power fishing and an intensity that breaks the will of his competition.  Christie takes his tournament fishing seriously and this event will be no exception to that rule.
  • Kyle Patrick: Rising Bassmaster Elite Series pro and proven tournament winner, known for a versatile skill set, relentless work ethic, and the confidence to go toe-to-toe with the biggest names in the sport. Patrick will be a wildcard no matter who he is paired up with, and will certainly bring the energy level up a bit at the Tuesday Night LIVE tournament.

Fans can catch every minute of the action live from 4–8 PM Central on Bassmaster.com, with a simulcast on the B.A.S.S. YouTube channel and the Bassmaster ROKU channel. Better yet, spectators are welcome to attend the weigh-in in person to experience the excitement firsthand.

With no stage, no frills, and no pressure beyond bragging rights and a $5,000 payday, this event is built to feel just like your local weekday jackpot tournaments, only with some of the biggest names in bass fishing.

Mark your calendar, tune in, or come on out. This is one Tuesday night on Table Rock you won’t want to miss.

Author's Profile: Dave Rush

Dave Rush is a veteran outdoor writer and photographer who has worked in the fishing industry since 2009. As Editor in Chief of Best On Tour, he brings over a decade of experience and a deep passion for telling the stories behind the sport. 

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