Banks Shaw Rallies on Final Day to Capture MLF Pro Circuit Victory at Lake Eufaula
Banks Shaw Rallies on Final Day to Capture MLF Pro Circuit Victory at Lake Eufaula
Tennessee Angler Earns Second Pro Circuit Win of the Season and Takes Over Angler of the Year Lead
EUFAULA, Okla. — A dramatic final day on Lake Eufaula saw Tennessee pro angler Banks Shaw surge from third place to claim victory at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Stop 5 Presented by K&N Filters.
After entering Championship Sunday trailing leaders Cal Lane and Drew Boggs, Shaw took advantage of changing lake conditions and delivered a strong final-round performance, weighing in 18 pounds even to finish with a three-day total of 52 pounds, 10 ounces. The victory earned Shaw the tournament title and a $100,000 payday.
The win marks Shaw’s second Pro Circuit victory of the 2026 season and places him firmly atop the 7 Brew Angler of the Year standings heading into the final regular-season event.
Weather Changes Shake Up Final Day
Heavy rainfall during the tournament’s second day dramatically altered conditions across Lake Eufaula, creating challenges for anglers targeting shallow-water fish. Tournament leaders Cal Lane and Drew Boggs had built their success around shallow creek patterns, but rising water and increased current made those areas far less predictable on Championship Sunday.
Shaw, meanwhile, spent much of the tournament targeting deeper fish on the main lake, allowing him to avoid many of the issues created by the changing conditions. His consistent approach paid off as he steadily climbed the leaderboard while others struggled to maintain their momentum.
Dylan Nutt also made a late charge, finishing second with 51 pounds, 12 ounces, while Lane and Boggs ultimately settled for third and fourth place respectively.
A Winning Combination
Shaw’s tournament strategy centered around a productive shad spawn pattern during the early morning hours. He focused on isolated rock piles where gizzard shad were actively spawning, using a ChatterBait-style presentation to trigger aggressive strikes.
As the day progressed, Shaw shifted his attention to deeper brush piles located near Longtown and the dam area. Using forward-facing sonar technology, he carefully dissected submerged cover and located bass holding around schools of crappie and baitfish.
According to Shaw, many of the bass he weighed during the final two days were found in water depths ranging from 15 to 20 feet, areas where fish had not been present during practice.
His willingness to make long runs across the lake also proved critical. During the final day, Shaw made a 20-minute run to fresh water where he landed key fish that helped seal the victory.
Building an Incredible Season
The Lake Eufaula victory adds to what is already shaping up to be one of the most successful seasons of Shaw’s career.
The former 2025 Invitationals Angler of the Year now owns two Pro Circuit victories this season and enters the final regular-season stop with a 13-point lead in the Angler of the Year race.
Shaw said he welcomes the pressure as the circuit heads to Lake Champlain in New York later this summer.
With two wins already secured and the points lead in hand, Shaw believes the rest of the field will have to catch him rather than the other way around.
Top Five Finishers
The top five anglers at the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Stop 5 on Lake Eufaula were:
- Banks Shaw (Harrison, Tennessee) – 52 lbs., 10 oz.
- Dylan Nutt (Nashville, Tennessee) – 51 lbs., 12 oz.
- Cal Lane (Grant, Alabama) – 51 lbs., 7 oz.
- Drew Boggs (Lebanon, Tennessee) – 50 lbs., 10 oz.
- Drew Gill (Mount Carmel, Illinois) – 50 lbs., 9 oz.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit features six tournaments across the country and a total purse of $3.8 million. Anglers are competing for valuable Angler of the Year points as well as qualification opportunities for the Pro Circuit Championship and a coveted spot on the MLF Bass Pro Tour.
The next stop on the schedule will be held July 24-26 at Lake Champlain in Plattsburgh, New York, where Shaw will attempt to close out an already remarkable season and capture another Angler of the Year title.
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