2026 Rapala BASS Pro Series | TT/Zman Somerset Boater Champion interview with Steve Morgan

After a 20-year wait between BASS qualifier victories, Steve Morgan returned to the winner’s circle in spectacular fashion, claiming the TT/ZMan-sponsored round of the 2026 Rapala BASS Pro Series at Somerset Dam.

Morgan set the tournament alight on Day One with an incredible 5/5 limit for 12.835kg, before backing it up with exactly 11.000kg on Day Two to finish with a massive 10/10 tournament total of 23.835kg. His winning limit averaged almost 2.4kg per bass.

The foundation for the win was laid weeks earlier, with Morgan putting in valuable time on Somerset and developing a pattern targeting suspended bass with a small jerkshad. Using forward-facing sonar and a strolling presentation, he concentrated much of his tournament within a relatively small section of the lake, targeting the bigger fish that would ultimately separate him from the field.

After securing an early limit on Day Two, Morgan knew he needed upgrades. The defining moment came when he located a lone bass in the main river channel and put his lure directly in front of it. The fish ate, producing a 3.3kg+ Somerset giant measuring almost 55cm to the fork and pushing Morgan beyond the 10kg mark for the day.

In this champion interview, Steve breaks down his preparation, forward-facing sonar setup, lure presentation, tackle, fish-care techniques and the key moments behind one of the biggest tournament performances of his career.