Yamaha Pro Angler Bill Lowen Captures First Bassmaster Elite Win of 2025

KENNESAW, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yamaha Pro Bill Lowen kicked off the 20^th Bassmaster Elite Series season with a win on Sunday, February 23, at the St. Johns River in Palatka, Fla., bringing in a four-day bass total of 73 pounds, 14 ounces. The victory represents the second Elite championship for the Brookville, Indiana Pro, who has also captured 24 top 10 finishes and qualified for the Bassmaster Classic^® 11 times throughout 200 Bassmaster events over the course of his career. Lowen led the tournament three of the four days of competition.

“To say I’m a two-time winner, it’s incredible,” said Lowen. “All I wanted to do when I was a kid was stand on this stage. I have to say thanks to Xpress and Yamaha and everyone who stood by me my whole career. I’m so grateful and appreciate everyone who has supported me.”

Yamaha pros took four of the top ten sports during the tournament. In addition to Lowen’s first place finish, Shane LeHew placed third with 73 pounds, 9 ounces; John Garrett placed fourth with 71 pounds and Patrick Walters took ninth with 58 pounds, 12 ounces.

Lowen, who won his first Elite title at Pickwick Lake in 2021, placed third on day 1 with 21 pounds, 5 ounces, then took over the lead with a second-round limit of 24 pounds 4 ounces. He brought 18 pounds, 1 ounce to the scales on Semifinal Saturday, holding on to the top spot and entering Championship Sunday with a 5-pound, 4-ounce lead over his nearest competitor.

Day 4 proved tough for Lowen as he struggled to coax fish that showed increasing sensitivity to the week’s severe cold front. He missed his limit by one keeper, but after anchoring an otherwise slim bag with a 7-pound, 7-ounce bass, Lowen turned in a final bag that weighted 10 pounds 4 ounces, edging out the second-place competitor by just 4 ounces.

As part of the Yamaha Power Pay program, Lowen earned an additional $4,000 while LeHew claimed an additional $1,500 for being the second-highest placing entrant. Garrett and Walters both earned $1,000 for being the third- and fourth-highest placing entrant, respectively.

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