Clayton, N.Y. – September 03, 2026 -- Trey McKinney, a 21-year-old pro from Carbondale, Ill., has become the youngest angler ever to win the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title, finishing the nine-event season with 735 points.

McKinney clinched the title with a second-place finish at the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite on the St. Lawrence River, edging Canadian pro Cory Johnston by four points, 735 to 731. The previous record for youngest AOY winner belonged to Kevin VanDam, who was 24 when he first won in 1992.