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

Michael Neal + Brent Chapman

michael neal and brent chapman_tam lucas oil_25-Challenge-LucasOil-NealChapman-PMoore-03-scaled.jpg

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

Photo by Pheonix Moore

Neal-Michael-25.png

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.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The Pennsylvania Farm Show continues through Saturday, wrapping up another successful year of celebrating agriculture in the Commonwealth.
Shaun Haney joined us to discuss Canada’s new trade agreement with China, the potential impact on farmers and exporters, and what it could mean for U.S.–Canada trade relations going forward.
National Corn Growers Association Chief Economist Krista Swanson discusses corn supply pressures, market fundamentals, policy considerations, and producer outlook for the year ahead.
Midland County Junior Livestock Show in West Texas features swine competition with top exhibitors, including Grand Champion Brinley Wilson, ahead of Saturday’s premium sale.
Rep. Erin Houchin of Indiana discusses how the Affordable Homes Act will benefit rural communities, and her broader efforts to improve access to affordable housing.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig discusses market conditions, policy priorities, and his outlook for agriculture moving forward.
Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
“Small Town, Big Deal” follows hosts Rodney Miller and Jann Carl across the country as they scour rural America for the best stories of faith, hope, patriotism, and good common sense that our small towns and farming communities have to offer.
“Somewhere West of Wall Street” is simply the most recent addition to the long list of noteworthy accomplishments by the Renaissance cowboy, singer-songwriter, poet, author, and show host Red Steagall. Join Red and his quarter horse, Grey Dog, as they explore the people, places, and stories of the American West.
“Today’s Wild West” is a documentary-style, half-hour TV seres on all-things-Western: horseback adventures, cattle drives, dude ranches, Western art, artisans, music, movies, historic sites, Native American culture and more.
“Positively Paula,” is a nationally-syndicated lifestyle/food show that invites viewers to share a moment with their friend: Paula Deen, who we know and love.
Strong rural traditions, religion, cowboy boots, and technology collide in “Cowboy Church” — and taking part is as easy as turning on the TV!