By Todd Ceisner
BassFan Editor
While it doesn’t all come down to this, it basically does all come down to this for Brent Chapman. To re-qualify for the Bass Pro Tour. To clinch a spot in REDCREST 2026. To continue a career that he’s given his all to for more than 30 years.
That’s how important the seventh and final event of the BPT schedule is to Chapman. The Kansas native will arrive in Bay City, Mich., for the Saginaw Bay event sitting in 29th in BPT Angler of the Year points, which is the cut off for REDCREST qualification.
His cushion is four points over Dean Rojas. He’s well aware of the various scenarios that could play out. A missed cut most likely ends his REDCREST quest. A bottom of the pack finish could jeopardize his requalification prospects – remember, the BPT field shrinks to 51 for 2026 – and trigger some tough conversations with sponsors.
So rather than dwell on the negative what-ifs, he is choosing to take the glass-half-full approach.
“Absolutely, this all comes down to – if we’ve done the math right – if I’m fishing next Saturday, I’m probably good on all that,” he said. “If I get a check, I’ll be on the bubble. If not, it might not work out.
“It’s the biggest tournament of my career at this point.”
Which is saying something considering Chapman has competed in more than 360 pro events between B.A.S.S. and FLW/MLF, and has a Bassmaster Angler of the Year title on his resume. Ever since he wrapped up the Potomac River BPT in late June with a 41st-place showing and the points picture came into focus, he’s been on edge.
“I’ve lost countless hours of sleep since the Potomac,” he said. “My number one solitary focus has been on Saginaw Bay.”
Namely because of the REDCREST berth that hangs in the balance.
“It would be huge (to qualify),” he said. “Obviously, at every point of our careers, we’re looking for different goals and milestones and 15 years ago maybe I would take making the championship for granted. It tends to weigh on you. It’s what it’s all about out here.”
Second Time Around
The BPT last visited Saginaw Bay in early August 2023 when Chapman finished 36th (out of 80) under the five-heaviest-fish format. It’ll be a different tournament this time around as it’ll be contested under the every-fish-counts format. The full, 66-boat field will be on the water for days 1 and 2 as opposed to the 40-boat groups two years ago. Additionally, the northern boundary for the event has been pushed to Port Austin, Mich., on the eastern shoreline and to Au Sable Point on the western shore. That opens up a lot more water in the northern reaches of the bay.
It's water that will be familiar to some in the field, including Chapman, who ventured up there on his off days during the 2023 since it was not part of the tournament waters.
“A few guys fished the off-limits area and found out the fishing was much better up north,” he said. “So it wouldn’t surprise me if there was some lobbying behind the scenes to get the boundaries changed this year.”
Chapman made sure to do his homework, having spent several days there earlier this year before revisiting after the Potomac River event.
“Last time, I feel like I saw every bit of that place – all the rivers and bays,” he said. “I found some largemouth stuff and smallmouth stuff. With the boundaries changing, 2 days of practice isn’t enough time to figure out where to fish.”
One of the ways Chapman will gauge his tournament performance will be how day 2 unfolds for him. On average, he’s caught two fewer fish per day on day 2 compared to day 1 this season.
“My stance on this season is day 2 needs to more consistent,” he said. “It’s been a good season, but it could’ve been better. I’ve had a couple good finishes, but it’s just a reminder of how big top 10s are for points. A few fish on day 2 or 3 can make such a big difference.”
All Clear (Just About)
It was about this time last year Chapman, 53, visited his doctor for a routine physical. Bloodwork revealed an elevated Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) level, an indicator there was an issue with his prostate. Additional testing and a biopsy revealed the presence of cancer.
He underwent a prostatectomy a week before Christmas and his recovery went smooth enough that he ready to roll when the 2025 season kicked off in late January at Lake Conroe in Texas.
“It was fine,” he said. “We hit the road in late January. They told me it’s usually 6 to 8 weeks of recovery, but there was nothing really that was an issue because of it. By then I was feeling up to fishing.”
He sees his urologist every three months for a check up now and his most recent PSA level was 0.016, an encouraging sign that the surgery was a success.
“The doc can’t say I’m 100 percent cancer free but I’m feeling great,” Chapman said. “It was so minor compared to some of the stories we’ve all heard about. One thing I want to remind people is get a physical. I was blown away that after I announced what my situation was, I had so many people, including a lot of anglers, reach out and say they hadn’t been to a doctor in five years.
“Hopefully, if that’s the extent of my battle with cancer, I’ll take it. Whatever God throws my way I’ll handle it even with this fishing stuff.”
