Fenwick Pro Cody Stahl Starts the Year with a Bassmaster Open Win

February 13, 2026
3:21 am

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Cody Stahl, the Fenwick Pro angler who's no stranger to high-stakes competition, kicked off the 2026 Bassmaster Open season with a dominant victory at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Florida. Weighing in a hefty 78 pounds, 8 ounces over three days, Stahl outfished a field of elite pros to claim the top spot and a cool $55,000 payday—plus valuable points toward the Bassmaster Classic. But this isn't just another fishing tale; it's a spotlight on a 2A champion whose passion for the Second Amendment runs as deep as his love for chasing largemouths. What elevates Stahl's win in the eyes of the pro-2A community is his unapologetic advocacy. As a proud carrier of concealed firearms and vocal supporter of everyday carry (EDC) rights, Stahl embodies the armed outdoorsman archetype—self-reliant, prepared, and thriving in the wild. In Kissimmee, where Florida's strong stand-your-ground laws provide the backdrop, his success underscores a key implication: 2A freedoms enable pursuits like tournament bass fishing, where anglers often navigate remote waters alone at dawn, facing everything from gators to opportunistic threats. Fenwick's sponsorship of such a pro-2A figure signals the firearms industry's growing synergy with outdoor sports, potentially paving the way for more crossovers like branded gear integrations or events blending shooting sports with angling. Stahl's early-season statement? In a world pushing back on gun rights, winners like him prove that armed citizens don't just defend the homeland—they dominate the leaderboard. Looking ahead, this victory catapults Stahl into contender status for the Elite Series, where his blend of skill and principles could inspire a new wave of 2A-aligned youth anglers. For the community, it's a reminder to support brands like Fenwick that back real defenders of liberty, turning every cast into a vote for the Second Amendment. If Stahl keeps this momentum, expect his boat to fly the Gadsden flag alongside his sponsor logos—because in bass fishing and beyond, don't tread on champions.

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Cody Stahl, the Fenwick Pro angler who’s no stranger to high-stakes competition, kicked off the 2026 Bassmaster Open season with a dominant victory at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Florida. Weighing in a hefty 78 pounds, 8 ounces over three days, Stahl outfished a field of elite pros to claim the top spot and a cool $55,000 payday—plus valuable points toward the Bassmaster Classic. But this isn’t just another fishing tale; it’s a spotlight on a 2A champion whose passion for the Second Amendment runs as deep as his love for chasing largemouths.

What elevates Stahl’s win in the eyes of the pro-2A community is his unapologetic advocacy. As a proud carrier of concealed firearms and vocal supporter of everyday carry (EDC) rights, Stahl embodies the armed outdoorsman archetype—self-reliant, prepared, and thriving in the wild. In Kissimmee, where Florida’s strong stand-your-ground laws provide the backdrop, his success underscores a key implication: 2A freedoms enable pursuits like tournament bass fishing, where anglers often navigate remote waters alone at dawn, facing everything from gators to opportunistic threats. Fenwick’s sponsorship of such a pro-2A figure signals the firearms industry’s growing synergy with outdoor sports, potentially paving the way for more crossovers like branded gear integrations or events blending shooting sports with angling. Stahl’s early-season statement? In a world pushing back on gun rights, winners like him prove that armed citizens don’t just defend the homeland—they dominate the leaderboard.

Looking ahead, this victory catapults Stahl into contender status for the Elite Series, where his blend of skill and principles could inspire a new wave of 2A-aligned youth anglers. For the community, it’s a reminder to support brands like Fenwick that back real defenders of liberty, turning every cast into a vote for the Second Amendment. If Stahl keeps this momentum, expect his boat to fly the Gadsden flag alongside his sponsor logos—because in bass fishing and beyond, don’t tread on champions.

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