Meet the 2026 Champions Tour Rookies
As the first event of the 2026 Champions Tour, presented by Skeeter Boats, quickly approaches, it’s time to introduce the newest Rookie Class set to compete at the highest level.
In 2025, the Champions Tour featured a field of 67 boats. Following the event on Le Homme Dieu, that field was cut to 45, leaving a group of anglers with one final opportunity to qualify. Those anglers, along with others looking to break into the league, competed on Lake Koronis for the remaining spots in the 2026 field.
From that event, five anglers emerged—and they’ll make up this year’s rookie class.
What stands out? Every one of them is under the age of 30.
It’s a clear sign of the next generation rising through the ranks, a trend that continues to shape the Champions Tour, and bass fishing nationwide, as it enters its second decade.
Recent history shows just how impactful a rookie class can be. In 2025, Rookie of the Year Nate Nipper was in contention for Angler of the Year throughout the entire season.
Now, the spotlight shifts to 2026.
Who will make their mark? And who will take home Rookie of the Year.
Hayden Anderson
Poplar, WI
“Home” Body of Water: I’d consider two water bodies my home lake(s): Chequamegon Bay in Ashland, WI and Round Lake in Hayward, WI.
Years Tournament Fishing: 10 Years.
What brought you to the Champions Tour: I wanted a chance to come fish against the best competition in the Midwest and also the payouts are the best thing around, by a long shot. On top of that, it’s one of the best run tournament circuits you can get into. We spend a lot of money on gas, lodging, and gear traveling around fishing tournaments, so trying to qualify for Champions Tour made the most sense with a much better ROI.
What are your goals for the 2026 Season: Goals are to win Angler of the Year and put myself into position to win the boat at the Championship!
Any Tournament Accomplishments or Industry Accolades you want to Shout Out: Winning the 2024 MNBN Team Trail event on Gull Lake with my partner Damien Luchterhand and most recently winning the very first Champions Tour Qualifier on Lake Koronis last September.
Jackson Sokolowski
Chaska, MN
“Home” Body of Water: Lake Minnetonka
Years Tournament Fishing: I started tournament fishing the summer after my freshman year of college with my brother in 2018.
What brought you to the Champions Tour: I was seeking the highest level of competition to prove to myself that I can compete. I’m getting married this year, bought my first house, and qualified out of a 17’ boat. There is never going to be a perfect time to make that step up, but I signed up for the qualifier and knew I would figure everything else out later.
What are your goals for the 2026 Season: Intimately learn new bodies of water in just a few days, Qualify for the Championship, and find a way to earn a check in each event.
Any Tournament Accomplishments or Industry Accolades you want to Shout Out: Viking Invitational Champion, 5x Greenhorn Bass Tour Angler of the Year, 2x Greenhorn Bass Tour TOC Champion.
Harrison Nelson
Iron River, WI
“Home” Body of Water: Pike Chain of Lakes
Years Tournament Fishing: I started tournament fishing 9 years ago as an 8th Grader in Middle School.
What brought you to the Champions Tour: I always like to push myself and fish against the best competition around our area. I feel like the Champions Tour is the tournament trail to be in right now. I really like the direction it is headed and I am so excited to be a part of it.
What are your goals for the 2026 Season: I just want to stay consistent and prove I belong here. I’m not sure how I will adjust to this format but I know it will be fun.
Any Tournament Accomplishments or Industry Accolades you want to Shout Out: In 2024 my partner Johnston Westmoreland and I won MNBN Team Trail Team of the Year.
Brandon Downs
Minnetonka, MN
“Home” Body of Water: Lake Minnetonka
Years Tournament Fishing: In the Summer of 2022 I fished the MNBN Team Trail for the first time. I fished a week nighter league for a year or two before that but Team Trail was my first “real” tournament series.
What brought you to the Champions Tour: It’s just always looked like a fun trail and I like the fact that it’s just me out there. Don’t get me wrong, I like team tournaments, but being out alone and making those decisions seems like a bigger challenge.
What are your goals for the 2026 Season: I would love to get Rookie of the Year, that’s my number one goal. But I also want to make the Championship and get at least two (2) Top-10’s. I think those are very realistic goals. It would be really cool to win one and obviously everyone wants to go win that boat.
Any Tournament Accomplishments or Industry Accolades you want to Shout Out: The first year I started taking tournaments seriously I hopped in the DH Tournament on Minnetonka with Chase Hull and took 2nd, that was pretty cool. 2 out of the 4 years I’ve fished MNBN Team Trail I made the TOC, and last year ended in 11th in points. As far as the industry side of things I’ve been a part of Billy Rub Baits for the past 5 years. I have been partnered with FXR for 2 years which has been an awesome experience. Everyone from the company is great and they have given me the opportunity to go to the Classic with them for both years and those are memories I will never forget. I also have been tying rods for Dane at Vocelka Fishing and Customs for about 2 years now, which has been a great experience. There has been plenty of things he’s taught me along the way with just learning what goes into building rods and it’s been pretty fun!
Ben Boerjan
Saint Ansgar, IA
“Home” Body of Water: I grew up in my bass fishing life in Detroit Lakes, MN with my best friend Garrett Koster. I lived there for a couple years before returning to Iowa, where I am from. I would probably have to call Southern Minnesota (Faribault Lakes Area) my home area at least, since we have the majority of our tournaments there.
Years Tournament Fishing: This will be my 5th year tournament fishing.
What brought you to the Champions Tour: Two of my really good friends (Garrett Koster & Matt Holweg) have fished the tour for a couple years and I have had to hear about how much fun it is to compete in this format. So I thought I would give it a go in the qualifier last year. I love to compete at the highest level of anything, and that was a huge draw as well, with a field that is so talented.
What are your goals for the 2026 Season: Ultimately, the goal is to get off to a really good start at Mille Lacs, and to make it to the Championship to have a shot at winning the Skeeter.
Any Tournament Accomplishments or Industry Accolades you want to Shout Out: Not really too much to talk about. I fish a smaller club in Northern Iowa and Southern Minnesota called Four Seasons, and we have a good time enjoying the competition on our lakes around home.