Wisconsin’s Schlapper Wins Bassmaster Elite at the Sabine River in Gritty Wire-to-Wire Victory
Photo by B.A.S.S./Andy Crawford
RACINE, W.I. (May 22, 2025) – In a tournament defined by tough bites, changing weather, and gritty decision-making, Minn Kota and Humminbird pro Pat Schlapper rose above the field on the Sabine River to win his first Bassmaster Elite Series event. The Eleva, Wisconsin native delivered four consistent days of fishing to finish with a total weight of 38 pounds, 12 ounces, beating second place by 2 pounds, 4 ounces and taking home $101,000.
Schlapper jumped out to an early lead on Day 1 with 12-2, and never let it go-backing it up with 8-7 on Day 2, 8-9 on Day 3, and closing the door with 9-10 on Championship Sunday. His Sabine win marks a milestone moment in his professional career, one built on steady progression, versatility, and confident decision-making.
Photo by B.A.S.S./Dalton Tumblin
"I had a good feeling going into this one," said Schlapper. "I was calm, confident, and everything just seemed to click. Each day brought something different, and being able to adjust was the biggest key. I covered water fast, leaned into my instincts, and made the right calls at the right times."
Shallow-Water Efficiency and Precision
Through a mix of different techniques and smart adjustments, Schlapper capitalized on key bite windows, changing conditions, and specific sections within the bayou he was fishing. While the first two days included some structure fishing, the weekend was all about targeting bank transitions, isolated laydowns, and undercut banks-areas where he leaned heavily on his Humminbird APEX to mark waypoints for different types of structure, fish catches, and the size of each catch, allowing him to return confidently later in the tournament without second-guessing.
"Waypoint management was huge, especially since I fished that area the entire event-I marked everything with different icons and colors: stumps, deeper edges, places I got bit, and especially where I caught bigger fish," said Schlapper. "By the final day, I wasn't just running water-I was running a plan. I could pull into that bayou and instantly know what areas I wanted to hit and in what order. That organization helped me stay efficient and fish with confidence. And with no mapping available in the bayou, being able to follow my GPS tracks and routes on the Humminbird APEX was absolutely critical-the new user interface made it simple to stay on course and keep my head in the game."
For navigating to and from his primary area each day, Humminbird LakeMaster Premium mapping played a key role in safely running the river, helping him avoid hazards and stay dialed from launch to check-in. Once in his area, Schlapper relied on the Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST to navigate the shallow waters of the Sabine River efficiently and quietly, allowing him to move from target to target without spooking fish. Electronics weren't a major part of his fishing style that week-he did most of his looking with his eyes and focused on managing time and boat control.
Photo by B.A.S.S./Dalton Tumblin
"The QUEST was a big deal-it's my favorite motor, and it let me fish exactly how I needed to fish to win," said Schlapper. "I was running on 6 or 7 power most days, especially when I was throwing a buzzbait or flipping along the banks. On the final day, I was churning mud-much of that section was less than a foot deep."
"Pat fished an incredible tournament, and we're proud to see him come away with the win," said Field Promotions Manager Tim Price. "He's a true professional, a great representative of our team, and this is a well-deserved milestone in his career."
WATCH Pat give an overview of his Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST.
