Yamaha Welcomes New Anglers to 2026 Pro Fishing Team
Yamaha Marine welcomes anglers Austin Felix, Andrew Loberg, Beau Browning, Aaron Jagdfeld, Tristan McCormick and Banks Shaw to the Yamaha Pro Fishing Team for 2026. The six anglers will join current Yamaha Pro Team members to compete in various professional tournament trails across the country. They will represent Yamaha's premium brand position and serve as ambassadors for the sport of competitive fishing.
"Yamaha continues to invest in anglers who demonstrate skill, professionalism and a passion for the sport," said Connor Megan, Pro Staff and Sponsorship Supervisor, Yamaha Marine Business Unit. "Each season, the Pro Team helps elevate our presence across tournament trails nationwide, and we look forward to seeing the impact they make in the year ahead. We wish them the best of luck as they compete."
Austin Felix, a former collegiate national championship angler for the University of Minnesota® qualified for the Elites through the Bassmaster® Eastern Opens and earned 2020 Elite Rookie of the Year honors. He captured his first Elite Series victory at Lake Oahe in 2022 with a four-day total of 71‑9. Felix has competed full time on the Elite Series for seven seasons and recorded six top‑10 finishes.
Hailing from Grant, Alabama, Andrew Loberg earned a spot in the Bassmaster Elite Series in 2025 after finishing sixth in the 2024 Elite Qualifier standings. A California native, he relocated to Alabama to pursue his professional fishing career. He qualified through multiple top 20 performances, including a second-place finish at Lake Eufaula. He grew up fishing with his father and uncles on California's water systems and competed on Chico State University's bass-fishing team.
Beau Browning, a native of Hot Springs, Arkansas, placed eighth in the 2024 Bassmaster Opens Elite Qualifier, securing his spot in the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series. He won the 2016 Bassmaster Junior National Championship and claimed a college-level victory at Norfork Lake while attending Montevallo University. Across nine Elite Qualifier tournaments, he earned four top 20 finishes, including a ninth-place finish at Lake Okeechobee.
Aaron Jagdfeld advanced to the professional level after a strong collegiate career at Adrian College, where he finished second in the 2024 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket. The Minnesota angler won the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier on Lake Erie and delivered steady performances throughout his first season in the Bassmaster Opens EQ division.
Tristan McCormick of Dickson, Tennessee, earned national recognition after leading Bethel University® to the 2021 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship. He continued to build on that foundation with competitive showings across multiple Opens events. McCormick's preparation and on-water discipline position him for continued growth as he advances through the professional ranks.
Banks Shaw, entering his third year on the Major League Fishing® circuit, has competed in 41 tournaments, recording four wins and 22 top 10 finishes. The Tennessee angler won the 2024 Toyota® Series event at Lake Chickamauga and captured the 2025 Tackle Warehouse® Invitationals Stop 4 at Pickwick Lake, earning his largest career payout of $115,000. He concluded the season as the 2025 Angler of the Year in the MLF Invitationals.
Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Engine Systems, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,000 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha's full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA®'s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.