2026 Rapala BASS Pro Series | TT/Zman Somerset Dam Non Boater Champion Interview with Luke Whiting

Luke Whiting put together two very different days of fishing to claim the **Non-Boater title at the TT/ZMan sponsored Somerset Dam round of the 2026 Rapala BASS Pro Series**, finishing with an impressive **six-fish total of 11.12kg**.

After catching nothing during pre-fish, Whiting teamed up with Steve Morgan on Day One and produced what he described as the best day’s fishing he’s ever had. Fishing a new release CrushCity jerkbait, he compiled a massive 6.09kg three-fish limit, including the biggest bass he’d ever caught at around 2.7kg, to take the overnight Non-Boater lead.

Day Two brought a completely different challenge alongside boater Nick Brunyee. Switching techniques, Whiting went vertical with an ice jig and eventually completed his limit late in the session, adding 5.03kg to secure the victory.

Making the result even more impressive, Somerset was only Whiting’s fourth ABT event as a Non-Boater, having only started competing this year. The win also earns the Cessnock angler automatic qualification for the 2026 Rapala BASS Pro Series Grand Final at Glenbawn Dam.

Watch the full winner interview as Luke talks through the lures, tackle and techniques that helped him turn two very different tournament days into a Somerset Dam victory.