Top 20 Fishing Champions of All Time

List of top fishing champions, divided into men and women, known for their achievements in competitive fishing worldwide. Note that many of these champions have participated in multiple disciplines such as bass fishing, fly fishing, deep-sea fishing, and other specialized areas.

Top 20 International Fishing Champions

Men:

1. Kevin VanDam (USA)
   • 4-time Bassmaster Classic Champion
   • Widely regarded as one of the greatest bass anglers in history.
2. KVD (Kevin VanDam) (USA)
   • 7-time Angler of the Year on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
3. Aaron Martens (USA)
   • 2-time Bassmaster Classic winner
   • Known for his technical skills and calm demeanor.
4. Mike Iaconelli (USA)
   • Bassmaster Classic Champion (2003)
   • Renowned for his aggressive fishing style and emotional wins.
5. Rick Clunn (USA)
   • 4-time Bassmaster Classic Champion
   • One of the longest-tenured anglers with multiple titles.
6. Cliff Pace (USA)
   • Bassmaster Classic Champion (2013)
   • Known for his innovative techniques and consistent performances.
7. Marty Stone (USA)
   • Successful tournament angler with multiple Bassmaster Elite Series victories.
8. Gerald Swindle (USA)
   • Multiple Bassmaster Classic and Elite Series wins
   • Known for his humor and deep knowledge of bass fishing.
9. Edwin Evers (USA)
   • 2016 Bassmaster Classic Champion
   • Consistent presence in competitive bass fishing.
10. Paul Elias (USA)
    • 2-time Bassmaster Classic Champion (1982, 2009)
    • Famous for his win in the first-ever televised event in 1982.
11. Bobby Lane (USA)
    • 2-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier
    • Known for his versatility and persistence.
12. Davy Hite (USA)
    • Bassmaster Classic Champion (1999)
    • Known for his detailed strategy and knowledge of bass species.
13. Katsutomo Iwakura (Japan)
    • Former world champion in competitive bass fishing
    • A leading figure in Asian competitive fishing circuits.
14. Takahiro Omori (Japan)
    • Bassmaster Classic Champion (2004)
    • One of the first non-American anglers to win a major U.S. bass fishing title.
15. Zander Manby (Australia)
    • Successful in international fishing tournaments.
16. Lynn Hays (USA)
    • Well-known for his dominance in the FLW Tour and Bassmaster events.
17. David Dudley (USA)
    • FLW Tour Angler of the Year
    • Highly regarded in competitive bass fishing circles.
18. Bass Pro Shops (USA)
    • Strong team, known for consistently placing in the highest ranks of major events.
19. Mark Zona (USA)
    • Angler and television personality known for his expertise and insights into fishing.
20. Chris Lane (USA)
    • Bassmaster Classic Champion (2012)
    • Known for his competitive edge and success on the tournament scene

Women:

1. Megan McCarthy (USA)
   • Female pro angler with high finishes in major events such as the Bassmaster Women’s Series.
2. Kim Bain-Moore (USA)
   • First woman to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic
   • Known for breaking barriers in the sport.
3. Sara Belle Gough (USA)
   • Winner of multiple women’s fishing tournaments.
4. Brittany Boudet (USA)
   • A leading female angler in the bass fishing world.
5. Julie Huber (USA)
   • Long-time competitor in women’s fishing tournaments and an advocate for women’s involvement in the sport.
6. Tess Orwig (USA)
   • Known for her victories in women’s fishing tournaments.
7. Angela Sun (USA)
   • Television personality and competitive angler.
8. Monica Weiner (USA)
   • Notable for her work in educating and encouraging women to participate in fishing.
9. Samantha Fotheringham (Australia)
   • Champion female angler from Australia, notable for her success in multiple international competitions.
10. Nicole Stone (USA)

• Regular competitor in women’s and general bass fishing events.

11. Cheryl Smith (USA)

• A consistent competitor in women’s fishing tournaments across the United States.

12. Tina Testa (USA)

• Dominant figure in women’s saltwater fishing tournaments.

13. Debbie Cadorette (USA)

• Known for success in both freshwater and saltwater women’s fishing events.

14. Megan Otto (USA)

• Active participant and winner in various women’s fishing events.

15. Jill Fleck (USA)

• Competed in professional fishing events, gaining recognition in the women’s circuit.

16. Nikki Crouch (USA)

• Gaining success in both professional and tournament-level bass fishing.

17. Paige Anderson (USA)

• Rising star in the competitive women’s fishing scene.

18. Kate Kearney (Canada)

• Multiple wins in women’s fishing tournaments in North America.

19. Rachel McCarter (USA)

• Known for her performances in bass fishing tournaments.

20. Jenny Pavlak (USA)

• Award-winning female angler with several notable victories.

This list highlights top competitors, but the fishing world is filled with many more talented individuals across various disciplines and tournaments.