Josh Hughes Wins 2026 Lake Guntersville Big Bass Classic

LAKE GUNTERSVILLE, AL - The Gerald Swindle Big Bass Classic presented by Explore Lake Guntersville brought the Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Big Bass Tour back to one of Alabama’s premier bass fisheries for another exciting weekend of competition. Despite Saturday’s competition being canceled, anglers delivered impressive catches across Friday and Sunday, with several quality largemouth bass making their way to the scales.

When the final scales closed Sunday afternoon, Josh Hughes stood atop the leaderboard with a 7.82-pound largemouth. Hughes brought the eventual winning fish to the scales during the first hour of the final day and watched it hold through the remaining six hours of competition.

The win earned Hughes the keys to a brand new NITRO Z18 powered by Mercury Marine, closing out a competitive weekend on Lake Guntersville.

Friday's competition set the early pace when Philip Morris weighed in a 7.42-pound largemouth, establishing the mark to beat heading into the remainder of the tournament.

Following Saturday's cancellation, anglers returned to the water Sunday with the overall title still up for grabs. Hughes wasted no time making his move, bringing his 7.82-pound bass to the scales during the opening hour.

With six hours remaining, the field had plenty of opportunities to challenge the lead, but Hughes' fish held strong through the final weigh-in.

Top Overall Weights

All five of the top overall fish exceeded seven pounds, showcasing the quality of bass Lake Guntersville continues to produce. Just 0.01 pounds separated second and third place, reinforcing how competitive the leaderboard remained throughout the event.

Despite losing Saturday's competition, Lake Guntersville produced 337 total fish weighed across Friday and Sunday, with an impressive overall average weight of 4.49 pounds.

Friday: 202 fish | 4.27 lb average | 7.42 lb big bass

Saturday: Competition canceled

Sunday: 135 fish | 4.82 lb average | 7.82 lb big bass

Sunday's average weight climbed to 4.82 pounds, with Hughes' winning fish highlighting the final day of competition. The strong average weights and multiple seven-pound catches demonstrated why Lake Guntersville remains a favorite destination among tournament anglers.

The 2026 Gerald Swindle Big Bass Classic welcomed 1,119 anglers from 23 different states, continuing the Big Bass Tour's ability to attract competitors from across the country.

With hundreds of competitors traveling more than 100 miles to participate, the tournament provided a significant boost to the local economy while showcasing Lake Guntersville and the surrounding communities as a premier fishing destination.

Thank you to Gerald Swindle, Explore Lake Guntersville, our sponsors, and all the anglers who joined us for another memorable event on Lake Guntersville.

With Lake Guntersville in the books, the 2026 Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Big Bass Tour season has officially come to a close. From incredible catches to unforgettable moments on the water, we want to thank our anglers, sponsors, and host communities for making another season a success.

The 2027 Big Bass Tour schedule is officially live, and we're already looking forward to another exciting year of competition across some of the country's best bass fisheries. With several exciting announcements still to come for the 2027 season, there's plenty to look forward to as we prepare for another year on the road.

For the complete 2027 tournament schedule, results, and upcoming announcements, visit BigBassTour.com.