Bassmaster Elite Series rookies JT Thompkins and Trey McKinney continue to outpace even the highest expectations as they take to the lake in second and third place on Championship Monday of the Minn Kota Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray. These two roommates have combined for five Elite Series Top 10 finishes this year, and we’re only five events into the 2024 season.
While Thompson and McKinney’s first goal is to chase down fellow Yamaha Pro Fishing teammate Patrick Walters and win this tournament today, they know they have a steep mountain to climb to overcome Walters 9-pound lead.
Luckily, the young bass fishing phenoms have another prize to compete for thanks to the popular Yamaha Power Pay contingency program.
Yamaha Power Pay rewards the first and second highest finishing anglers who own and run a Yamaha Outboard purchased within the last 60 months with a cash bonus for Elite Series tournaments.
At the conclusion of Day 3, Thompkins was in position to take the $1,500 payout for being in second place behind Walters, but he’ll have to hold off Elite Series champions Lee Livesay, John Garrett and Trey McKinney to remain the frontrunner.
“You’re always fishing for the very best finish possible out here but having the extra incentive of the second highest finisher payout from Power Pay keeps things competitive on days like today,” Thompkins said smiling, while he stared down his roommate McKinney who trails him by a mere 2 ounces.
McKinney has already won one Elite Series title this year and continues to lead the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year race, but the 19-year-old prodigy doesn’t plan to take it easy on his good buddy JT.
“There is no holding back on Championship Monday,” McKinney grinned. “In all seriousness, for us to both leave here with a Top 10 is amazing. Whatever happens today is icing on the cake. It’s fun to have some extra skin in the game with a $1,500 bonus even if Patrick (Walters) runs away with this one. We’re both going to go for it.”
Both McKinney and Thompkins have won extra cash through Yamaha Power Pay this year, but you don’t have to be a professional angler to reap the rewards of this contingency program or the legendary reliability of Yamaha Outboards.
Power Pay supports hundreds of events in both fresh and saltwater tournaments and is completely free to sign up for. Follow this link to learn more or get registered today: https://yamahapowerpay.com/registration
