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

Ron Nelson + Martin Villa

GTTS-Erie-D1-Wix-PMoore-19.jpg

2025 General Tire Team Series - Challenge Cup Teams

Major League Fishing

Nelson_4158.png

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

GTTS-Erie-D6-Takeoff-PMoore-03.jpg

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
Related Stories
Check out some of the RFD-TV Now livestream highlights from Knockout Match 1 of the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies, the second of four events in the second year of the Fishing Clash Team Series.
Check out some of the RFD-TV Now livestream highlights from Elimination Match 3 of the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies, the second of four events in the second year of the MLF Fishing Clash Team Series.
Jacob Wheeler and Mark Daniels Jr. of Team O’Reilly Auto Parts breezed to the win in Elimination Match 3, boating 30 scorable bass for 37 pounds, 3 ounces.
U.S. aquaculture may gain competitive ground as harmful subsidies are phased out abroad, but producers should monitor shifts in import supply chains and trade enforcement closely.
The defending champions were at it again during Day 2 of the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup Presented by Bass Boat Technologies on Monday.
Keith Carson and Luke Clausen of Team Fishing Clash were an unstoppable force in the first Elimination Match of the Heritage Cup, grabbing the lead early in the day and never letting go.

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:

Iowa Ag Secretary Naig recaps discussions surrounding a potential federal aid package for farmers and shares insights on producer sentiment in the Heartland.
FarmHER Katey Jo Evans of The Frozen Farmer joins us for a sneak peek of the latest episode of Dirt Diaries: The FarmHER + RanchHER Podcast.
Winter weather will challenge livestock producers working to rebuild their herds despite harsh conditions.
House lawmakers are expected to vote late this afternoon to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The bill they are voting on includes some big priorities for Rural America.
Kubota President Alex Woods discusses the “Geared to Give” program, the company’s commitment to those who served, and how the initiative continues to grow and impact veterans.
Tyson expects another year of beef-segment losses due to tight cattle supplies, even as chicken, pork, and prepared foods strengthen overall margins.
Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
Journey into the lives of two hard-working farm families to see the risks, rewards, and funny shenanigans that take place every day. From cat-fishing and watermelon smashing to pig chasing and go-kart racing, there is never a dull moment on these family farms. We’ll also get a modern look at the newest cutting-edge farming techniques that are revolutionizing the industry and providing a greener and more sustainable way to grow.
Expert gearheads Kevin Byrd and Willie B have a wealth of technical knowledge and a passion to share it each week on Two Guys Garage.
Coop Dreams
“Green Acres” meets “Home Improvement” in this refreshing, informative unscripted lifestyle series depicting the hilarious adventures of a suburban family gone rural.
Washington farmers grow more than 300 different crops and raise a variety of different animals, and Washington is also home to some of the greatest culinary experiences in America. Whether inside the kitchen or out in the field, at the end of the day, it’s all about the food!