2025 NAPRA RECAP PAGE PRESETED BY REAL BASSSIN BAITS!
2025 ELITE SERIES-
NAPRA ELITE STAGE 1 RECAP:
Newell Wins by a Fin over Craig and Gardner
Aaron Newel loves the Stillwater and Greenville Creek like a kid loves candy! He managed a nice 79" bag to edge Dave Craig and Shaun Gardner whom both had 78.75. What a great day on a tough weekend. Official results:
1st Aaron Newell 79 (102 pts)
2nd Dave Craig 78.75 tie breaker over SG (101 pts)
3rd Shaun Gardner 78.85 (98)
4th PJ Varnadoe 77 tie breaker over RD (97)
5th Randal Duff 77 (96)
6th Cole Ward 69 (95)
7th Bryan Newell 68 (95)
8th Cameron Ward 63.75 (95)
9th Ben Newland 57 tiebteaker over DS (95)
10th Dave Schaller 57 (95)
11th Ryan White Leonard 55.5 (94)
12th Josh Baird 53 (94)
13th Pete Ziehler 9.5 (94)
14th Nate Wilson and Kyle Click 0 (92)
Newell Wins by a Fin over Craig and Gardner
Aaron Newel loves the Stillwater and Greenville Creek like a kid loves candy! He managed a nice 79" bag to edge Dave Craig and Shaun Gardner whom both had 78.75. What a great day on a tough weekend. Official results:
1st Aaron Newell 79 (102 pts)
2nd Dave Craig 78.75 tie breaker over SG (101 pts)
3rd Shaun Gardner 78.85 (98)
4th PJ Varnadoe 77 tie breaker over RD (97)
5th Randal Duff 77 (96)
6th Cole Ward 69 (95)
7th Bryan Newell 68 (95)
8th Cameron Ward 63.75 (95)
9th Ben Newland 57 tiebteaker over DS (95)
10th Dave Schaller 57 (95)
11th Ryan White Leonard 55.5 (94)
12th Josh Baird 53 (94)
13th Pete Ziehler 9.5 (94)
14th Nate Wilson and Kyle Click 0 (92)
NAPRA ELITE STAGE 2 RECAP:
NAPRA NEWS: Ward Gets 1st Elite Win!
"I got it figured out!" Cole Ward yelled to fellow competitor Pete Ziehler during NAPRA Pro Wading's Stage 2 presented by The Bug Juice, 3 Brothers Baits, The American Tackle Company, and Big Hammer Lures. Cole managed to diligently flip a craw to the bank blended by rocks and deep drops to score 65.5" to win a very tough stage. Way to go Cole!
The event included milky gross water and extreme heat and the anglers struggled to catch their usual bags. However, Cole was able to figure it out and best Randal Duff's 60" (2nd) and Shaun Gardner's 59.75" (3rd) to top the field.
The anglers will enjoy a the week to cool down and recover from the heat and participate in the 2025 Wade War next week in the Twin Creek river system.
Official results today:
1- Cole Ward 65"
2- Randal Duff 60"
3- Shaun Gardner 59.75"
4- David Craig 59.25"
5- PJ Varnadoe 55.5"
6- Aaron Newell 22"
7- Pete Ziehler 21"
8- Bryan Newell 16.5"
9- Josh Baird 13.5" and Cameron Ward 13.5"
10- Michael Neace 8"
NAPRA NEWS: Ward Gets 1st Elite Win!
"I got it figured out!" Cole Ward yelled to fellow competitor Pete Ziehler during NAPRA Pro Wading's Stage 2 presented by The Bug Juice, 3 Brothers Baits, The American Tackle Company, and Big Hammer Lures. Cole managed to diligently flip a craw to the bank blended by rocks and deep drops to score 65.5" to win a very tough stage. Way to go Cole!
The event included milky gross water and extreme heat and the anglers struggled to catch their usual bags. However, Cole was able to figure it out and best Randal Duff's 60" (2nd) and Shaun Gardner's 59.75" (3rd) to top the field.
The anglers will enjoy a the week to cool down and recover from the heat and participate in the 2025 Wade War next week in the Twin Creek river system.
Official results today:
1- Cole Ward 65"
2- Randal Duff 60"
3- Shaun Gardner 59.75"
4- David Craig 59.25"
5- PJ Varnadoe 55.5"
6- Aaron Newell 22"
7- Pete Ziehler 21"
8- Bryan Newell 16.5"
9- Josh Baird 13.5" and Cameron Ward 13.5"
10- Michael Neace 8"
WADE WAR
NAPRA NEWS: Newell Joins the Double Club!
NAPRA and the number 2 is very historic. Today's Wade War, the 11th installment in NAPRA Pro Wading's 20 year history, marked the second career WW win for Aaron Newell. He joins Steve Kortis and Dave Craig (3rd today) as the only 2 time winners in the 11 years of the WW. He caught a 17" fish and was off for the races to tally 74.75" of fish. He bested Shaun Gardner's 71.75" and David Craig's 65.25" for 3rd.
NAPRA would like to thank title sponsors Got Em Bait Co. , Loud Mouf Jigs (who made a special appearance), Pradco Outdoor Brands, The Bug Juice, and 8 Fans for their support. We also want to thank Don's Pizza Palace for our after event get together!
Here are the official results:
1st- Aaron Newell 74.75
2nd- Shaun Gardner 71.75
3rd- Dave Craig 65.25
4th- PJ Varnadoe 63.25
5th- Bryan Newell 59.25
6th- Randal Duff 58.25
7th- Zach McCane 57.75
8th- Dave Schaller 56.5
9th- Cole Ward 48.75
10th- Pete Ziehler 30
+4
NAPRA NEWS: Newell Joins the Double Club!
NAPRA and the number 2 is very historic. Today's Wade War, the 11th installment in NAPRA Pro Wading's 20 year history, marked the second career WW win for Aaron Newell. He joins Steve Kortis and Dave Craig (3rd today) as the only 2 time winners in the 11 years of the WW. He caught a 17" fish and was off for the races to tally 74.75" of fish. He bested Shaun Gardner's 71.75" and David Craig's 65.25" for 3rd.
NAPRA would like to thank title sponsors Got Em Bait Co. , Loud Mouf Jigs (who made a special appearance), Pradco Outdoor Brands, The Bug Juice, and 8 Fans for their support. We also want to thank Don's Pizza Palace for our after event get together!
Here are the official results:
1st- Aaron Newell 74.75
2nd- Shaun Gardner 71.75
3rd- Dave Craig 65.25
4th- PJ Varnadoe 63.25
5th- Bryan Newell 59.25
6th- Randal Duff 58.25
7th- Zach McCane 57.75
8th- Dave Schaller 56.5
9th- Cole Ward 48.75
10th- Pete Ziehler 30
+4
NAPRA NEWS: Aaron Newell Dominates Again
With another Mother Nature meal consisting of humidity, flooded rivers, and stingy fish, the NAPRA field had to scramble for Elite #3 and repeat their journey to Twin Creek. Aaron Newell, whom goes from a very good angler to BEAST MODE dominated again for another Elite Win. His 78” bag included no fish under 14” for a very impressive day. Randal Duff scored the big fish of the event, an 18” behemoth to tally 74” event for second place. Josh Baird finished 3rd with 72.75” followed by Shaun Gardner’s 4th place total of 62.5” Official results:
1st Aaron Newell 78
2nd Randal Duff 74
3rd Josh Baird 72.75
4th Shaun Gardner 62.5
5th Dave Schaller 38
6th PJ Varnadoe 36.5
7th Pete Ziehler 36
8th Bryan Newell 32.75
9th Zach McCane 29
10th Mike Neace 24.75
11th Cameron Ward 23.25
12th Cole Ward 18.25
13th Kyle Click 0
With another Mother Nature meal consisting of humidity, flooded rivers, and stingy fish, the NAPRA field had to scramble for Elite #3 and repeat their journey to Twin Creek. Aaron Newell, whom goes from a very good angler to BEAST MODE dominated again for another Elite Win. His 78” bag included no fish under 14” for a very impressive day. Randal Duff scored the big fish of the event, an 18” behemoth to tally 74” event for second place. Josh Baird finished 3rd with 72.75” followed by Shaun Gardner’s 4th place total of 62.5” Official results:
1st Aaron Newell 78
2nd Randal Duff 74
3rd Josh Baird 72.75
4th Shaun Gardner 62.5
5th Dave Schaller 38
6th PJ Varnadoe 36.5
7th Pete Ziehler 36
8th Bryan Newell 32.75
9th Zach McCane 29
10th Mike Neace 24.75
11th Cameron Ward 23.25
12th Cole Ward 18.25
13th Kyle Click 0
NAPRA NEWS: Bryan Newell Gets 1st Career Elite Win
Bryan Newell has always finished in the top have of events, been overshadowed by his brother Aaron and finally wanted a win. Today’s Elite #4 on the Stillwater River was a prefect recipe for this to happen. In one of the closest top 3 entries Bryan’s 73.75” edged Shaun Garnder by ¼” (73.25). Aaron Newell was third with 72 followed by Pete Ziehler’s best outing in 5 years for 4th with 52”. Final results are as follows
1 Bryan Newell 73.75
2 Shaun Garnder 73.25
3 Aaron Newell 72
4 Pete Ziehler 52
5 Dave Schaller 46
6 PJ Varnadoe 25.75
7 Cameron Ward 19.5
8 Randal Duff 19
9 Cole Ward 0
9 Zach McCane – (Missed weigh in)
10 Justin Bailey – (Missed weigh in)
Bryan Newell has always finished in the top have of events, been overshadowed by his brother Aaron and finally wanted a win. Today’s Elite #4 on the Stillwater River was a prefect recipe for this to happen. In one of the closest top 3 entries Bryan’s 73.75” edged Shaun Garnder by ¼” (73.25). Aaron Newell was third with 72 followed by Pete Ziehler’s best outing in 5 years for 4th with 52”. Final results are as follows
1 Bryan Newell 73.75
2 Shaun Garnder 73.25
3 Aaron Newell 72
4 Pete Ziehler 52
5 Dave Schaller 46
6 PJ Varnadoe 25.75
7 Cameron Ward 19.5
8 Randal Duff 19
9 Cole Ward 0
9 Zach McCane – (Missed weigh in)
10 Justin Bailey – (Missed weigh in)
NAPRA NEWS: Cameron Ward Edges Schaller to win Elite #5
Every year NAPRA has rookies that look to make their mark on the Elite field. Cameron Ward, a 2025 rookie, presented 56.5” to win the Elite #5 Stillwater South Showdown. He edged NAPRA veteran Dave Schaller who had 56”. Third was Elite #4 winner Bryan Newell with a nice 55.75” followed by Justin Bailey’s 54.25 (4th). This was Justin’s first NAPRA event.
Final results:
1st Cameron ward 56.5
2nd Dave Schaller 56
3rd Bryan Newell 55.75
4th Justin Bailey 54.25
5th Shaun Gardner 53.75
6th Aaron Newell 52.5
7th Cole Ward 40
8th Pete Ziehler 36
9th PJ Varnadoe 35.75
10th Zach McCane 21.25
11th Randal Duff 8.5
12th Mike Neace 0
Every year NAPRA has rookies that look to make their mark on the Elite field. Cameron Ward, a 2025 rookie, presented 56.5” to win the Elite #5 Stillwater South Showdown. He edged NAPRA veteran Dave Schaller who had 56”. Third was Elite #4 winner Bryan Newell with a nice 55.75” followed by Justin Bailey’s 54.25 (4th). This was Justin’s first NAPRA event.
Final results:
1st Cameron ward 56.5
2nd Dave Schaller 56
3rd Bryan Newell 55.75
4th Justin Bailey 54.25
5th Shaun Gardner 53.75
6th Aaron Newell 52.5
7th Cole Ward 40
8th Pete Ziehler 36
9th PJ Varnadoe 35.75
10th Zach McCane 21.25
11th Randal Duff 8.5
12th Mike Neace 0
NAPRA NEWS- DUFF REBOUNDS AND WINS STAGE 6
On the strength of a massive 18" bass Randal Duff was able to outlast the field to claim the final stage of the 2026 Elite season. The event, held on the GMR, was full of highs and lows. Highs included lots of bass, a close raise and Duff's massive fish. Lows included losing big fish, anglers breaking rods ( Ward and Ziehler) and a few slips but that is what the season can do to you. Final results:
1st Randal Duff 70.5
2nd Aaron Newell 67.75
3rd Cameron Ward 66.75
4th Bryan Newell 66
5th Dave Schaller 65.5
6th Justin Bailey 65,25
7th Shaun Garnder 62.75
8th Josh Baird 60 (tiebreaker)
9th Zach McCane 60
10th Pete Ziehler 46
11th PJ Varnadoe 35.5
12th Michael Neace 10.5
On the strength of a massive 18" bass Randal Duff was able to outlast the field to claim the final stage of the 2026 Elite season. The event, held on the GMR, was full of highs and lows. Highs included lots of bass, a close raise and Duff's massive fish. Lows included losing big fish, anglers breaking rods ( Ward and Ziehler) and a few slips but that is what the season can do to you. Final results:
1st Randal Duff 70.5
2nd Aaron Newell 67.75
3rd Cameron Ward 66.75
4th Bryan Newell 66
5th Dave Schaller 65.5
6th Justin Bailey 65,25
7th Shaun Garnder 62.75
8th Josh Baird 60 (tiebreaker)
9th Zach McCane 60
10th Pete Ziehler 46
11th PJ Varnadoe 35.5
12th Michael Neace 10.5
2025 BOSS SERIES-
NAPRA NEWS: BAIRD EDGES DUFF TO WIN BOSS #1
With 54.75" and a 19.5 beast of a bass, Josh Baird was able to edge a tough field on tough conditions to win the 2025 BOSS Stage 1 event presented by The American Tackle Company, The Bug Juice, and Got Em Bait Co. . His big fish and win puts him in the leading heading into the second BOSS event May 30-June 1st.
Standings with bonuses built in for 1st and 2nd place, Big Bass, and 18+ lunker towards the 3 Brothers Baits AOY!
Results:
(Place/Name/ Inches/ Pts earned/ AOY or ROY* pts)
1st Josh Baird 54.75 (100/104)
2nd Randal Duff 52.25 (99 /101)
3rd David Craig 50 (98)
4th Aaron Newell 49 (97)
5th Shaun Gardner 48.75 (96)
6th Ben Metcalfe 47.5 (95)
7th PJ Pj Varnadoe 47.25 (95)
8th Bryan Newell 42.5 (95)
9th Cole Ward 42.5 (95)
10th Ben Newland 37 (95)*
11th Cameron Ward 32 (94)*
12th Bryan Kibler 31.25 (94)*
13th Pete Ziehler 9.25 (94)
15th Nate Wilson 0 (92) /Ryan White Leaonard 0 (92) /Kelly Kingery 0 (92)/ Kyle Click
16th 0 pts did not fish but in league
Bill Simmons
Michael Neace
*ROY standings
With 54.75" and a 19.5 beast of a bass, Josh Baird was able to edge a tough field on tough conditions to win the 2025 BOSS Stage 1 event presented by The American Tackle Company, The Bug Juice, and Got Em Bait Co. . His big fish and win puts him in the leading heading into the second BOSS event May 30-June 1st.
Standings with bonuses built in for 1st and 2nd place, Big Bass, and 18+ lunker towards the 3 Brothers Baits AOY!
Results:
(Place/Name/ Inches/ Pts earned/ AOY or ROY* pts)
1st Josh Baird 54.75 (100/104)
2nd Randal Duff 52.25 (99 /101)
3rd David Craig 50 (98)
4th Aaron Newell 49 (97)
5th Shaun Gardner 48.75 (96)
6th Ben Metcalfe 47.5 (95)
7th PJ Pj Varnadoe 47.25 (95)
8th Bryan Newell 42.5 (95)
9th Cole Ward 42.5 (95)
10th Ben Newland 37 (95)*
11th Cameron Ward 32 (94)*
12th Bryan Kibler 31.25 (94)*
13th Pete Ziehler 9.25 (94)
15th Nate Wilson 0 (92) /Ryan White Leaonard 0 (92) /Kelly Kingery 0 (92)/ Kyle Click
16th 0 pts did not fish but in league
Bill Simmons
Michael Neace
*ROY standings
The NAPRA Pro Wading BOSS Series, presented by The American Tackle Company, Real Bassin, Thorny Creek Bait & Tackle Co., Bigg-Fish Lures, and Fishermans Headquarters, was a battle mentally and physically for the anglers as the elements, river levels, and fish at times caused both happiness and frustrated. The angler that conquered it all and the field was Josh Baird. His 52.75" edged Ben Metcalfe's 50.5 and Shaun Gardner's 48.75" For third.
Random prize winners were 11th and 14th place. So PJ and Ben get a nice set of prizes as well.
Thanks to our sponsors and way to go participants. The BOSS Series takes a break and will resume in early July.
52.75 Josh Baird
50.5 Ben Metcalfe ®
48.75 Shaun Gardner
47 Randall Duff
45.25 David Craig
45 Bryan Kibler ®
40.5 Ryan White Leonard ®
35 Cole Ward
35 Cameron Ward ®
32 Bryan Newell
31.25 PJ Varnadoe
29.5 Pete Ziehler
28 Kyle Click
22 Ben Newland®
0 Kelly Kingery ®
0 Bill Simmons
0 Aaron Newell 17 0
0 Michael Neace ® 18 0
0 Nate Wilson ® 19 0
Random prize winners were 11th and 14th place. So PJ and Ben get a nice set of prizes as well.
Thanks to our sponsors and way to go participants. The BOSS Series takes a break and will resume in early July.
52.75 Josh Baird
50.5 Ben Metcalfe ®
48.75 Shaun Gardner
47 Randall Duff
45.25 David Craig
45 Bryan Kibler ®
40.5 Ryan White Leonard ®
35 Cole Ward
35 Cameron Ward ®
32 Bryan Newell
31.25 PJ Varnadoe
29.5 Pete Ziehler
28 Kyle Click
22 Ben Newland®
0 Kelly Kingery ®
0 Bill Simmons
0 Aaron Newell 17 0
0 Michael Neace ® 18 0
0 Nate Wilson ® 19 0
NAPRA NEWS: Aaron Newell on a Hot Streak!
After winning last week's WADE WAR (Elite Trail) Aaron Newell bagged 50.5" of fish to claim the BOSS Series Stage 3. He managed the large bass of the day (17.75) to ensure that he is in the mix to qualify for the BOSS Cup in August. Finishing second was trail point leader Josh Baird (48") followed by David Craig's 45.25" Final results:
50.5 Newell Aaron
48 Baird Josh
45.25 Craig David
44.5 Kibler Bryan
43.75 Duff Randal
43 Gardner Shaun
40.5 Simmons Bill "Ear;y"
40 Newell Bryan
34 Ziehler Pete
30.75 Ward Cole
30 WardC ameron
29.5 Kingery Kelly
0 Neace Michael
0 Sommer Bill
0 Varnadoe Pj
0 McCane Zach
After winning last week's WADE WAR (Elite Trail) Aaron Newell bagged 50.5" of fish to claim the BOSS Series Stage 3. He managed the large bass of the day (17.75) to ensure that he is in the mix to qualify for the BOSS Cup in August. Finishing second was trail point leader Josh Baird (48") followed by David Craig's 45.25" Final results:
50.5 Newell Aaron
48 Baird Josh
45.25 Craig David
44.5 Kibler Bryan
43.75 Duff Randal
43 Gardner Shaun
40.5 Simmons Bill "Ear;y"
40 Newell Bryan
34 Ziehler Pete
30.75 Ward Cole
30 WardC ameron
29.5 Kingery Kelly
0 Neace Michael
0 Sommer Bill
0 Varnadoe Pj
0 McCane Zach
NAPRA NEWS- Gardner Back on Winning Circle!
“That 15.5” came in clutch” stated Shaun Gardner when he was notified he won via tiebreaker over Josh Baird to win the BOSS Stage 4. Both anglers had 51.25” of fish but Shaun’s fish was ¾” bigger than Josh’s entry to put Gardner in the winning circle. With 1 event to go the race to be in the Top 10 for the BOSS Cup will come down to a final battle.
Here are the results of the BOSS Series Stage 4:
1 Shaun Gardner 51.75 (Tiebreaker)
2 Josh Baird 51.25
3 Aaron Newell 49.25 (Tiebreaker 14.25 over Duff)
4 Randal Duff 49.25 (13.75)
5 Bill Simmons 43.5
6 Bryan Newell 40
7 Bryan Kibler 39.75
8 PJ Varnadoe 36.5
9 Bryan Newell 32.25
10 Pete Ziehler 29.25
11 Zach McCane 29
12 Bill Sommer 24.75
13 Michael Neace 23.25
14 Cameron Ward 23.25
15 Cole Ward 18.25
16 Kelly Kinger 10.25
16 Kyle Click and Ben Newland 0
“That 15.5” came in clutch” stated Shaun Gardner when he was notified he won via tiebreaker over Josh Baird to win the BOSS Stage 4. Both anglers had 51.25” of fish but Shaun’s fish was ¾” bigger than Josh’s entry to put Gardner in the winning circle. With 1 event to go the race to be in the Top 10 for the BOSS Cup will come down to a final battle.
Here are the results of the BOSS Series Stage 4:
1 Shaun Gardner 51.75 (Tiebreaker)
2 Josh Baird 51.25
3 Aaron Newell 49.25 (Tiebreaker 14.25 over Duff)
4 Randal Duff 49.25 (13.75)
5 Bill Simmons 43.5
6 Bryan Newell 40
7 Bryan Kibler 39.75
8 PJ Varnadoe 36.5
9 Bryan Newell 32.25
10 Pete Ziehler 29.25
11 Zach McCane 29
12 Bill Sommer 24.75
13 Michael Neace 23.25
14 Cameron Ward 23.25
15 Cole Ward 18.25
16 Kelly Kinger 10.25
16 Kyle Click and Ben Newland 0
NAPRA NEWS: BAIRD WINS AGAIN/ NEARLY SECURES AOY
Josh Baird, one of the nicest guys on the BOSS Trail and in general, grinds out each day to do the best he can. This translates to the river during competitions, and he yet again dominated the field to win BOSS #5. This is the final stage prior to the BOSS CUP.
Baird’s 51.75 bested Bryan Newell’s 50.5 for the top spot followed closely by Shaun Gardner with 49.
Final results:
51.75 Baird Josh
50.5 Newell Bryan
49 Gardner Shaun
46.75 Ward Cameron
44.5 Newell Aaron
43.25 Duff Randal
42.75 Simmons Bill "Early"
41.25 Varnadoe PJ
40 Kibler Bryan
36.75 McCane Zach
34 Ziehler Pete
31.5 Ward Cole
30 Kingery Kelly
0 Neace Michael
Josh Baird, one of the nicest guys on the BOSS Trail and in general, grinds out each day to do the best he can. This translates to the river during competitions, and he yet again dominated the field to win BOSS #5. This is the final stage prior to the BOSS CUP.
Baird’s 51.75 bested Bryan Newell’s 50.5 for the top spot followed closely by Shaun Gardner with 49.
Final results:
51.75 Baird Josh
50.5 Newell Bryan
49 Gardner Shaun
46.75 Ward Cameron
44.5 Newell Aaron
43.25 Duff Randal
42.75 Simmons Bill "Early"
41.25 Varnadoe PJ
40 Kibler Bryan
36.75 McCane Zach
34 Ziehler Pete
31.5 Ward Cole
30 Kingery Kelly
0 Neace Michael
