PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. , Aug.
12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Entering Championship Monday at the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain , Day 3 leader Ed Loughran III thought he needed another 20-pound bag to win his first blue trophy. So, when he finished with a 16-pound, 14-ounce limit of smallmouth, he was just hoping he would still finish in the Top 5. It turned out he had the exact weight he needed.
With a four-day total of 80-12, the veteran angler from Richmond, Va. , notched his first Elite Series title, edging out Canada's Chris Johnston by 1 ounce to earn the $100,000 check and a blue trophy. The 2011 Toledo Bend Elite Series event has been the only other Elite Series event settled by a 1-ounce difference in total weight.
"I had zero thought that I had won. I was hoping to just stay in the Top 5," Loughran said. "It's unbelievable.
I've never won a big tournament. I've had Top 5s in big tournaments ..
. but I'm always a little short. I didn't have any realistic expectation of winning one, but after yesterday I thought I might have a chance.
"The money will come and go, but that trophy will not go anywhere." Opening the tournament in 38th with 19-1, Loughran landed bags of largemouth weighing 22-15 and 21-14 to jump into the lead on Semi-Final Sunday. But if he didn't make a critical move on Day 4, Loughran feels he wouldn't have won.
Toward the end of the day, Loughran left his primary area and moved uplake to a spot he had not yet fished in the tournament. Just be.