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A Rookie Season to Remember

The 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series season is officially in the books, and one of the year’s biggest titles came down to the very final day.

Congratulations to Caleb Hudson, your 2026 Pro-Guide Batteries Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year.

The 24-year-old Georgia pro capped off an impressive first season on the Elite Series with 621 points, edging out fellow rookie Fisher Anaya by just two points to claim the title. Hudson also finished an impressive 7th overall in the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, putting an exclamation point on a rookie campaign that proved he belongs among the best in the sport.

Consistency From Start to Finish

Hudson took over the Rookie of the Year lead following the second event of the season and never officially gave it back.

His rookie campaign started with five straight checks, and Hudson ultimately cashed in seven of nine Elite Series events. Even more impressive, he made Championship Sunday in three of the first five tournaments on three very different fisheries: Lake Martin, the Arkansas River and Lake Murray.

But the road to Rookie of the Year wasn't without its challenges.

After difficult events at Santee Cooper and the Pasquotank River, what had once been a commanding 91-point Rookie of the Year lead narrowed dramatically. Heading into the final event of the season at the St. Lawrence River, Hudson held just a 12-point advantage over Anaya.

It All Came Down to the St. Lawrence

The season finale delivered exactly the kind of drama you'd expect from a Rookie of the Year battle decided by only two points.

After sitting in 71st following Day 1, Hudson made a major comeback. He climbed to 37th on Day 2 before bringing more than 25 pounds of St. Lawrence smallmouth to the scales for the second consecutive day and moving all the way to 19th place on Day 3.

Hudson's tournament was over, but the Rookie of the Year race wasn't.

Anaya advanced to Championship Sunday with an opportunity to take the title. Hudson could only watch and wait as the final standings unfolded. When the scales closed, the numbers were official: 621 points for Hudson. 619 for Anaya.

Two points separated an entire season.

And Caleb Hudson was officially the 2026 Pro-Guide Batteries Rookie of the Year.

Built for What's Next

Hudson's rookie season showed the consistency, adaptability and determination it takes to compete at the highest level of professional bass fishing.

From earning seven checks to competing on multiple Championship Sundays and finishing seventh in the overall Angler of the Year race, his first Elite Series season wasn't simply a strong rookie performance, it established Hudson as an angler to watch for years to come.

At Pro-Guide Batteries, we're proud to support the next generation of professional anglers through the Pro-Guide Batteries Rookie of the Year program and celebrate the competitors who continue pushing the sport forward.

Congratulations to Caleb Hudson on an incredible season and a well-earned title.

2026 Pro-Guide Batteries Rookie of the Year.

Built to compete. Built for the water. And just getting started.