Meet the Anglers: Challenge Cup - Team Lucas Oil (#4)

Michael Neal + Brent Chapman

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Michael Neal and Brent Champman, Team Lucas Oil, B&W Challenge Cup, Elimination Match 1

Photo by Pheonix Moore

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Michael Neal

Major League Fishing

Michael Neal

Dayton, Tennessee

Tennessee native Michael Neal became one of the youngest anglers in history to compete in the FLW Tour when he kicked off his pro career in 2012. Neal won Stage Seven of the Bass Pro Tour on Lake St. Clair in 2021, just a month after securing the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Angler of the Year title. In 2022, Neal claimed his second Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Angler of the Year title in back-to-back fashion, becoming the third pro to win AOY in consecutive years and the sixth pro to win multiple AOY titles. Neal’s second win on the Bass Pro Tour happened on the same waters as his 2022 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Angler of the Year title – the St. Lawrence River during Stave Seven of the 2024 Bass Pro Tour.

FUN FACT

Neal owns a tackle store called Real Deal Tackle. He enjoys hunting and trap shooting as well as riding ATVs and crappie fishing during the off-season.

Career Wins4
Top 10s46
Top 20s55
REDCREST Appearances6
Career Winnings$1,951,122

———

Brent Chapman

Lake Quivira, Kansas

Brent Chapman* hosts the popular “Pros Vs. Joes” online fishing show. One of the few anglers in the world who can lay claim to the title of tour-level Angler of the Year, Brent Chapman was the 2012 Bassmaster Elite Series AOY, a 14-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, and a two-time REDCREST qualifier. He’s one of the Top 30 B.A.S.S. money winners of all time (over $2.3 million total), and has four wins on his résumé.

FUN FACT

Brent enjoys bow hunting, as well as pond, bank and saltwater fishing, and anything to do with the outdoors. He also does land management for deer.

Career Wins4
Top 10s44
Top 20s83
REDCREST Appearances2
Career Winnings$2,515,567

*Champman replaced fellow Bass Pro Angler Andy Morgan as Neal’s teammate.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD-TV and The Cowboy Channel. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, adding a decade of experience in the digital side of broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

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