When Trey McKinney first qualified for the Bassmaster Elite Series heading into the 2024 season, many pegged him as the next big thing. He's lived up to the hype and more, winning an event in each of his first two seasons and finishing second in the Angler of the Year race both seasons.
Now entering his third year on tour, the Bajío pro is looking to continue his success and build on what he's already accomplished in his young career.
Goals for 2026
After finishing as the runner-up both seasons for Angler of the Year, both times to Chris Johnston, McKinney is understandably trying to take the title. It's his biggest goal entering the new season, and he will try to win it every year from now on, no matter how long it takes.
"Angler of the Year is definitely something I want to win, especially since we've been so close," he said. "I'd like to get that under my belt this season, and what I'm going to strive for, whether it takes me a couple of years or five years to get it done. That's the trophy that I want to win, it would mean the most to me because it's all about consistency for the entire season."
New for the year on the Elite Series are restrictions on forward-facing sonar: some events allow it, while others are held without it. McKinney is great with technology, but he grew up fishing without it and had plenty of success as he climbed the ranks toward professional fishing. He's looking forward to the change, but admits it will be an adjustment.
"It's going to change our strategy a lot because we'll have to switch it up a little bit during pre-practice and have to figure out how to catch fish with and without it," said McKinney. "The other thing is that now we can still use Humminbird 360, which I've never used, but will still help with how I like to fish. I use forward-facing sonar a lot to line up targets and hit brush piles and things like that to stay efficient with each cast, and the 360 will help with that, so I'm working to learn it."
No matter the event's rules, McKinney says he'll be ready. He has plenty of experience fishing both with and without forward-facing sonar, which should be an asset this season.
"When I first started fishing the Opens, I had to learn how to fish with LiveScope because that's what it took to compete in places like Texas and Alabama," he said. "Around my house, all we did was fish shallow and muddy lakes, targeting shallow trees and little rock piles and things like that, so it wasn't a player. I had to learn the technology to compete nationally, because you had to know it to compete, but I'm comfortable fishing without it at all."
McKinney's Thoughts on Sunglasses
Much of the talk with fishing revolves around rods, reels, baits, and electronics, but sunglasses are another key to McKinney and how he fishes. He wears a handful of different frames from Bajío and primarily relies on two lens colors for all of his fishing.
"I love the blue mirror color in the grass lenses," he said. "Those are just dark enough, but still light enough to get a good view of what's in the water or when I'm looking at my screens. They are my all-around lenses."
When fishing in lowlight conditions, he opts for the rose mirror. "Those are a little lighter and great early in the morning or if you have a cloudy day," he said. "I go back and forth between those two."
Both lens colors are available in polycarbonate and glass, but McKinney prefers glass lenses. "They are both very clear and crisp, but I believe they are a better lens," he said. "They do cost more, but the good news is you have options between the two different lens materials. All of the Bajío lenses I have worn are incredible, with great polarization that helps me whether I'm on the water in a tournament, out fishing for fun, or sitting in a duck blind. I wear them every day, no matter what I'm doing, and know that they block out the sun and help to protect my eyes."
While he's still very young, Trey McKinney has already proven he belongs at the top level of professional bass fishing and is a threat to win anywhere he goes. His success has come quickly, but he's not done and won't be satisfied until he takes home an Angler of the Year title. He's been very close twice and will again be among the favorites to win it in 2026.
Advertising