May 17, 2025 – Kentucky Lake, KY
Just hours after EF2 tornadoes tore through Western Kentucky, the Tailgate Tour stormed into Kentucky Lake with 200 boats, over $15,800 in payouts, and a crowd that showed up with more than just rods and reels they showed up with heart.
The Tailgate Tour event was a Ultimate Angler Sanctioned event. The tournament was more than a bass tournament, it was a community comeback story. On May 16th, violent tornadoes touched down in Casky and Allegre, leaving paths of destruction in Christian and Todd Counties with winds peaking at 120 mph. Yet, just 12 hours later, anglers launched into the morning mist of Kentucky Lake, ready to compete, and bring some normalcy back to a shaken region.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: A $15,800 Payday and $4,500 in Raffle Prizes
With 100% payout and more than $4,500 in raffle prizes awarded, the Tailgate Tour delivered in every way. Anglers from across the region vied for top honors, a slot in the no-entry-fee Ultimate Angler Championship, and a shot at a fully rigged 2026 iKon VLX20 bass boat and a chance to beat Jacob Wheeler for an additional $10,000.
Top 5 Teams Qualifying for the Ultimate Angler Championship:
| Place | Angler(s) | Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Levi Kohl | 21.11 |
| 2nd | Meisenhelter / Holguin | 21.10 |
| 3rd | Morgan / Knight | 20.96 |
| 4th | Gruner / Gruner | 20.41 |
| 5th | Goldsberry / Cantley | 20.12 |
Each of these teams not only brought heavy bags to the scales but now move on to fish against the Jacob Wheeler with zero entry fees and one massive prize boat waiting.
Big Bass Honors – $500 on the Line
The Big Bass payout saw Fooshee & Kell bring in a chunky 5.39-pounder, edging out the Dowdy duo’s 5.04-pound bass. The top 10 big bass brought excitement to the weigh-in stage, with dozens crowding around to see who’d take the $500 bounty.
A Field That Fought Hard
The field capped at 200 boats, with strong performances across the leaderboard. Weights ran deep into the top 30, with bags over 15 pounds barely cracking the top 25. This is a testament to how Kentucky Lake is fishing this spring.
| 10th Place | Bornstein / Mullins – 18.10 lbs |
| 20th Place | Smalljaw – 16.33 lbs |
| 30th Place | Clary / Dixon – 14.75 lbs |
| 40th Place | White / Moore – 12.47 lbs |
| 50th Place | Chambers / Rowe Chambers – 6.87 lbs |
From Tornadoes to $10,000 Winner
The timing couldn’t have been more surreal. On May 16th, the evening skies turned dark and windy over western Kentucky:
- Casky, KY: EF2, 10.1-mile track, 118 mph winds
- Allegre, KY: EF2, 6-mile track, 120 mph winds
Despite the destruction the local angling community pushed forward. The Tailgate Tour became more than a tournament. It became a celebration of resilience, a chance for outdoor therapy, and an event lifted spirits while delivering world-class competition.
Looking Ahead: The Championship Awaits
For the top five teams, the road doesn’t end at Kentucky Lake. They’ve earned the right to compete at the Ultimate Angler Championship, where entry is free and the stakes couldn’t be higher: a brand-new, tournament-ready 2026 iKon VLX20 bass boat.
The Next Tailgate Tour Event June 7, 2025
he iKon Boats Tailgate Tour rolls into Missouri for Stop #2 presented by Mercury at Lake of the Ozarks on Saturday, June 7th, 2025, and anticipation is high. Backed by Ultimate Angler and powered by Mercury Outboards, this grassroots tournament series is turning up the heat with one of the most anticipated stops on the calendar.
With a $10,000 guaranteed first-place payout and 100% payback on entry fees, this event promises high stakes and even higher competition.
