Meet the Anglers: Dustin Connell

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

Dustin Connell

Major League Fishing

Dustin Connell

Clanton, Alabama

Alabama angler Dustin Connell is an unstoppable force on the big stage as a three-time REDCREST champion. Connell claimed his first REDCREST title in 2021 at Lake Eufaula, and he made MLF history in 2024 as the first two-time REDCREST champion, winning on his home turf at Lay Lake. He extended his reign in 2025 by winning REDCREST on Lake Guntersville. Connell was hot out of the gate in his pro career, claiming Elite Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2017. Winning Stage Three of the 2022 Bass Pro Tour pushed him to nearly $1 million in career earnings. He followed it up with a win at Stage Six of the 2022 Bass Pro Tour. This win made Connell one of the winningest anglers in Bass Pro Tour history, as only Jacob Wheeler and Ott DeFoe had won three or more events on the Bass Pro Tour. He capped off the 2022 season with his fourth Bass Pro Tour win at Stage Seven at Mille Lacs Lake. Connell added his fifth Bass Pro Tour win to start the 2024 season at Stage One on Toledo Bend.

FUN FACT

Dustin is an avid bow hunter. He also enjoys playing golf and going turkey hunting.

Career Wins7
Top 10s29
Top 20s40
REDCREST Appearances6
Career Winnings$2,144,105

Related Stories
Stream all the action from livestock shows across Rural America with your annual subscription only on RFD+
Chef and influencer Marcia Smart joined us to discuss Italian-inspired beef dishes, nutrition for active lifestyles, and how global events shape home cooking.
Corey Owens of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Association shares updates about this year’s event and its continued impact on youth, agriculture, and the San Angelo community.
Texas cowboy chef and host of RFD Network’s Twisted Skillet, Sean Koehler, shares an elote-style street corn dip just in time for Super Bowl Sunday. This skillet-cooked corn dish combines open-fire cooking and bold regional flavors for a delicious twist on Mexican Street Corn.
San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo Association’s Trenton Priddy preview this year’s event, which is now streaming on RFD+

Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
The affable and unassuming international singing star Daniel O’Donnell is one of Ireland’s best known performers – from Australia to Alaska.
RFD+ EXCLUSIVE | This hour-long show explores the trains and locomotives that aided the growth of travel, further settlement, and the development of a variety of American industries and agricultural ventures.
Bill Gaither, the founder of one of gospel’s most successful groups, the Gaither Vocal Band, and his wife, Gloria, are delighted to showcase their favorite gospel music during “Gaither Gospel Hour” on RFD-TV.
Ray’s Roadhouse is a weekly program featuring the music of Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel. Ray and his band Asleep at the Wheel has had a more than 50 year career in the music industry and over the years have earned nine Grammy Awards. The program also will feature guest performers such as Pat Green, Stoney LaRue and Kelly Willis.
Analiese Gregory is taking one of the biggest risks of her life: she’s left her successful career as a restaurant chef and bought a century-old cottage at the bottom of the world, in pristine Tasmania, Australia. We share her journey of discovery as she gets under the skin of her new home – and learns to live seasonally off the land, by hunting, fishing, and foraging.