The 2026 Maxam Tire Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound is expected to deliver another strong showing as anglers prepare to return to Elizabeth City for one of the most closely watched events on the professional bass fishing calendar.
Tournament organisers and local experts believe the fishery could once again produce heavyweight catches following the record-breaking performances seen during the 2025 edition of the competition.
Local tournament angler and guide Matt Greschak said current conditions point towards another high-scoring event across the Albemarle Sound system and surrounding rivers.
“The way it is setting up, it is going to be good. There will be big weights caught again,” Greschak, who runs Avery’s Guide Service, said. “If someone brings back 35 pounds one day, I won’t be surprised and another bass over 10 pounds will be weighed in, I think.
“Someone should get a (Century) belt, if not a couple people.”
The tournament will run from June 11 to June 14 at Waterfront Park in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Daily launches are scheduled for 6:30 a.m. ET, with weigh-ins beginning at 3 p.m. ET.
A field of 98 professional anglers will compete during the opening two days before the tournament is reduced to the top 50 competitors for Semifinal Saturday. The leading 10 anglers will then advance to Championship Sunday to compete for the $100,000 top prize and the Bassmaster blue trophy.
Changing Seasonal Conditions Could Shape Competition
The Albemarle Sound system remains one of the largest and most diverse fisheries on the Elite Series circuit, with several freshwater rivers feeding into the coastal waterway. Unlike other major estuary systems, however, the fishery is largely unaffected by tides, with water conditions influenced mainly by rainfall and wind.
A particularly dry spring has altered conditions ahead of this year’s competition, allowing brackish water to move further upriver than usual.
Last year’s tournament delivered historic results after Alabama angler Kyle Welcher dominated the field in the Pasquotank River, landing 118 pounds and 12 ounces of spawning largemouth bass over four days. Welcher defeated second-place Brandon Lester by a record-setting 45-pound, 7-ounce margin.
“He caught 13 bass over 7 pounds,” Greschak recalled. “That was a good thing for the area. So many more people have been coming to fish. It gave it the exposure the city was looking for.”
Although spawning patterns have now passed and summer conditions are beginning to develop, recent local tournaments suggest the fishery remains highly productive. Winning weights in recent events have included 34 pounds, 28 pounds and 32 pounds, with one event claimed by Turtelbox Bassmaster Opens presented by Battery Tender competitor Ryan Lachniet.
According to Greschak, the Chowan River, Perquimans River and Roanoke River are expected to play major roles during the competition.
“Everything to the west of Elizabeth City has been playing (this year). The Chowan has been putting them out and the Perquimans has been fishing really well.” the North Carolinian said. “The North River towards the Outer Banks hasn’t been as good and the Alligator River has been fishing tough too.”
Current weather forecasts indicate relatively calm conditions, with west winds expected between five and 10 mph, potentially giving anglers easier access across the Sound compared with the more difficult conditions experienced in 2025.
Technology and Offshore Patterns Expected to Dominate
Forward-facing sonar technology will again be permitted during the tournament, something Greschak believes could significantly influence results. Anglers are expected to focus heavily on offshore hard spots and submerged wood cover where baitfish are concentrated.
“The Chowan and the Roanoke have drains in them that pour fresh water in constantly,” Greschak explained. “That helps keep the salinity lower, and the bass do better in those conditions. River herring are also in the Chowan like nowhere else.”
Urchin-style baits, jighead minnows, jerkbaits, swimbaits and glidebaits are all expected to feature prominently during the competition.
While shallow-water frog and flipping patterns in lily pad fields could also produce catches, low water levels in the Roanoke River may reduce the effectiveness of that approach.
“The river doesn’t have a lot of current right now. It is still good, but a lot of the lily pad fields I thought would be good are kind of dry right now,” Greschak said. “You’ll still see guys catch them on a frog, but I don’t think that will be the winning deal.”
Meanwhile, Canadian angler Cory Johnston enters the tournament leading the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 483 points, ahead of Trey McKinney and Dakota Ebare.
Coverage of the tournament will be broadcast live across Bassmaster.com, Roku Sports Channel and FS1 throughout the four-day event. Organisers will also host the Elizabeth City Hooked on the Harbor Festival during the final two days, featuring local vendors and food trucks at Waterfront Park.
Visit Elizabeth City is hosting the tournament alongside Bassmaster and its commercial partners, including title sponsor Progressive and platinum sponsor Toyota.
