Local cousins Kaden Mueck and Case Sutherland won first place in the 2026 Berkley Classic Series National Championship on Toledo Bend on March 28 and took home a brand-new boat for their efforts.
“It has been an unbelievable week here on Toledo Bend. Not only did we win the Fishers of Men National Championship, we shattered the all-time record with a three-day total of 77 pounds. It sure wasn’t easy, to say the least. This tournament really tested me mentally with making all the right moves at the right time and making every move count,” Mueck said.
“Case and I had very few bites – five to seven a day – but they were the right ones and we were able to catch the biggest bag of the tournament on the final day with 29.46 pounds that sealed the deal. We are truly blessed and I couldn’t do it without the many people that support me,” Mueck said.
Sutherland agreed.
“I can’t thank Kaden Mueck enough for all the hard work he puts in on the water for us while I’m at work. It definitely has paid off. We fished hard for this one. Bites were tough, but we stayed focused on the goal we set over a year ago and came out with the win. Thanks to all of our family that keeps up with us and supports us in these team derbs,” Sutherland said.
The Fishers of Men Berkley Classic Team Series is designed to give the competitive bass fisherman an opportunity to compete for cash, prizes and recognition in an environment unlike any other. Berkley Team Series Divisions feature a two-person team competition. Each Berkley Team Series Division hosts five divisional tournaments. Teams compete to qualify and represent their respective divisions in one of the championship events.
