Lifestyle  Sports  Major League Fishing  Meet the Bass Pro Anglers

Meet the Anglers: Challenge Cup - Team O’Reilly (#7)

Ron Nelson + Martin Villa

July 25, 2025 02:46 PM • 
Marion Kirkpatrick
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2025 General Tire Team Series - Challenge Cup Teams

Major League Fishing

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Bass Pro Angler Ron Nelson

Major League Fishing

Ron Nelson

Berrien Springs, Michigan

It was no surprise when Ron Nelson won Angler of the Year for the 2020 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and the 2023 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, having built a solid reputation on the Toyota Series for several years before that. On the Toyota Series, he won Smith Mountain Lake in 2013 and Lake Champlain back-to-back in 2017 and 2018. He went on to earn the title of 2019 FLW Polaris Rookie of the Year and soon found himself on the Bass Pro Tour. He went on to place third at his REDCREST debut in 2024 and followed it up with a ninth-place finish at REDCREST 2025.

FUN FACT

Nelson is an avid biker in his down time, and enjoys walking the beach with wife Karla and their two pups, Adori and Annie.

Career Wins3
Top 10s26
Top 20s51
REDCREST Appearances2
Career Winnings$977,733

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Martin Villa

Major League Fishing

Martin Villa

Auburn, California

Martin Villa made his Bass Pro Tour debut in 2024 with a Top-10 finish at Stage One on Toledo Bend.

FUN FACT

Martin Villa considers Lake Anna to be his home lake. He started with fly fishing and remains a big fan of it, enjoying cooking what he catches.

Career Wins
Top 10s2
Top 20s5
REDCREST Appearances1
Career Winnings$299,774
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Marion Kirkpatrick
Marion Kirkpatrick
Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

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