Mercury Marine Congratulates Trey McKinney on Historic Angler of the Year Title, Celebrates Pro Team Sweep at St. Lawrence River 

Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), congratulates Mercury Pro Team member Trey McKinney on winning the 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year (AOY) title and celebrates a dominant showing by Mercury Pro Team anglers at the season-ending Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River. Mercury Pro Team anglers swept the top four positions in the tournament, with Evan Kung claiming the victory, followed by McKinney in second, Tucker Smith in third and Cory Johnston in fourth. 

McKinney, a Carbondale, Illinois, native, secured the AOY championship after a remarkable 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series season, accumulating 735 points across nine events and clinching the title at the St. Lawrence River finale. Along the way, he delivered one of the most memorable performances in Bassmaster history, weighing a record-setting 30-pound, 11-ounce five-bass smallmouth limit and earning his second career Century Belt. At just 21 years old, McKinney became the youngest angler in B.A.S.S. history to earn the sport’s most prestigious season-long honor, surpassing a record held by bass fishing legend Kevin VanDam since 1992. 

“On behalf of everyone at Mercury Marine, congratulations to Trey on his historic Angler of the Year title and to Evan, Tucker and Cory for an outstanding Mercury Pro Team performance at the St. Lawrence River,” said Jeff Coad, Vice President of Marketing. “Trey’s achievement is a testament to his dedication and competitive drive, and having Mercury Pro Team anglers claim the top four spots at the season finale reflects the talent and performance these competitors bring to the sport. We are proud to have them represent Mercury on and off the water.” 

As members of the Mercury Pro Team, McKinney, Kung, Smith and Johnston are part of a distinguished roster of anglers who trust Mercury outboards to deliver the performance, reliability and confidence needed to compete at the highest levels of professional fishing.