2025 Rapala BASS Pro Series | Somerset Dam (1/2 September)

The Decoy-sponsored round of the 2025 Rapala BASS Pro Series at Somerset Dam delivered breakthrough performances across both divisions. On the non-boater side, Queensland angler Michael Thomas emerged victorious, earning his first ABT trophy after years of persistence. Fishing from the back of the boat, Thomas pieced together a two-day total anchored by key big bites, smart lure choices, and a calm approach that withstood the nerves of weigh-in pressure.

A Long Road to the Top

Michael Thomas was no stranger to ABT competition. Since his debut at Wivenhoe Dam in 2020, he had steadily climbed the ranks, notching results of 12th, 9th, 8th, and 7th before finally breaking through at Somerset. Those experiences, often hard-earned, gave him perspective on just how tough the non-boater division can be.

“Winning these things isn’t easy,” Thomas admitted. “I’ve put in the time, and each result got a little better. I thought maybe the next step would be fourth or third, but I never expected to jump straight from seventh to first”.

Day One: A Lone Big Bass

On day one, Thomas drew boater Vinny Bleakley, who was fishing out of a borrowed boat. The pair headed towards the flat near Pelican, an area Bleakley had identified in pre-fish.

The session started modestly, until around 20 minutes in Thomas hooked what would prove to be the defining fish of his tournament: a 2.48-kilogram Somerset bass.

The bite came on an Ecogear ZX35 blade, fished with a hop-and-wind retrieve. “I thought I’d hooked a big yellowbelly,” Thomas recalled. “When it came up, it was just skin-hooked under the lip. If I’d put any more pressure on it, it would’ve been gone. I played it like it was a marlin”.

Though he landed only that single fish for the day, its size vaulted him into contention, sitting fifth overnight and within striking distance.

Day Two: Building the Winning Bag

On day two, Thomas was paired with Harry Hardman—a tournament regular and Lowrance staffer—who provided a steady and supportive platform.

Fishing from Hardman’s smaller boat, Thomas managed to add two more quality bass. The first fell around 9 a.m. to the same ZX35 blade that had worked on day one. The second came later in the day on his long-time favourite, a Jackall TN60 in the Ghost Brown Dog colour.

That lure, scarred and missing an eye, had already proven itself at Wivenhoe in 2024 where it delivered him a seventh-place finish. “It’s my favourite tournament lure, no question,” he explained. “It just has history with me, and I knew if I stuck with it, it could get the job done again”.

With two solid fish to go with the day one giant, Thomas had done enough. His total secured the non-boater crown, though he admitted the nervous wait at the weigh-in was almost too much to handle.

The Winning Gear

Thomas’s tackle was a mix of the practical and the sentimental, reflecting his evolution as an angler.

• Lures: Ecogear ZX35 Blade (day one and early day two), Jackall TN60 Ghost Brown Dog (late day two).

• Rods:

  • Samaki Zing short baitcaster rod (suited to kayak fishing and jigging).

  • Silstar Pinnacle spin rod, purchased over a decade ago at a Brisbane expo, which he described as his “sentimental favourite.”

• Reels:

  • Shimano Curado baitcaster.

  • Shimano Stradic  spinning reel.

• Line: Eight-pound Berkley Fireline braid with 10-pound leader on the baitcaster; six-pound line on the Stradic spin setup.

This combination, simple yet effective, gave him confidence from the back deck. For Thomas, gear isn’t about flash—it’s about trust. “All you really need from the back of the boat is a baitcaster, a spin rod, a couple of gun lures, and good boaters to draw with,” he reflected.

The Nervous Wait

Even with three strong fish on the board, victory wasn’t guaranteed. As the final weigh-ins unfolded, Thomas admitted he struggled with nerves.

“When I realised a few of the guys above me hadn’t weighed fish, I knew I was close. But standing there waiting was brutal. I had to walk away and pack up my gear—I nearly threw up from the nerves,” he said with a laugh.

In the end, the scoreboard confirmed what his instincts already suspected: the two-day total was enough. After years of chasing it, Thomas was crowned non-boater champion.

A Local Angler’s Triumph

Based in Gatton, Thomas considers Somerset and nearby Wivenhoe as home waters. His local knowledge of the region, combined with his regular kayak fishing sessions, gave him confidence in the calibre of fish present.

Ironically, he couldn’t fish Wivenhoe the following weekend due to work commitments at Palmer’s Nursery, where the spring season brings an all-hands-on-deck period. Still, being able to notch his first ABT win close to home carried special meaning.

“Yesterday’s fish was my PB bass for Somerset, so to do it here and in front of family and friends makes it even better”.

Lessons for Non-Boaters

Thomas’s Somerset win offers practical takeaways for aspiring ABT non-boaters:

1. One Bite Can Change Everything – His 2.48-kilo day one bass was a tournament-changer. In the non-boater ranks, maximising every opportunity is critical.

2. Have Confidence Lures – The ZX35 blade and TN60 Ghost Brown Dog weren’t just productive baits; they were confidence tools honed by experience.

3. Keep Gear Simple – A reliable spin combo and a baitcaster, paired with trusted lures, can cover most situations from the back.

4. Play Fish Patiently – Thomas’s marlin-like fight on day one saved his skin-hooked giant. Light drag and composure are key when one fish can define a tournament.

5. Progress is Incremental – From 12th to 9th to 7th to 1st, his journey shows how persistence pays. Each event builds experience that can eventually translate into a win.

Reflections and Gratitude

Thomas was quick to thank those who made the journey possible. He acknowledged Vinny Bleakley and Harry Hardman for being supportive boaters, the ABT family for providing the platform, and fishing tackle retailers like Fishing Bits who introduced him to the lures that shaped his result.

Above all, he expressed humility about finally holding a trophy. “It’s still sinking in,” he said. “I’ll probably believe it when I see it online tonight. But I’m proud of the effort, and grateful for the people who’ve helped me get here”.

The Significance of the Win

Non-boater victories carry a special weight in ABT competition. Success depends not only on skill but also adaptability to different boaters, styles, and conditions. For Michael Thomas, the Decoy-sponsored round at Somerset was a culmination of persistence, local passion, and the ability to make the most of limited opportunities.

His triumph stands as proof that perseverance pays off and that from the back of the boat, one or two key decisions can swing a tournament.

Click here for 2025 Rapala BASS Pro Series event entry form.
Click here for 2025 ABT Membership form. 

VENUE:

Somerset Dam, QLD.

DATES:

1/2 September 2025

ENTRY FEE:

$275 boater/$150 non-boater. ABT Membership required.

PRE FISH BAN:

No fishing from Sunrise Monday 18th August to first light on Sunday the 31st of August 2025

PRE FISH:

From first light, Sunday 31st of August 2025

EVENT START LOCATION:

The Spit, Lake Somerset.

NO GO ZONES:

• No fishing/boating inside of the buoy lines defining the dam wall or inside any defines swimming enclosures.
• Note the reduced speed limit in the timbered areas north of Kirkleagh.

SESSION TIMES:

Monday: 6.45am to 2pm

Tuesday: 6.45am to 1pm

BRIEFING:

Sunday 31st August 2025
4pm at The Spit, Lake Somerset. Sign-in from 3pm.

PRESENTATION:

ASAP after weigh-in on the Sunday.

Last updated 28th August 2025