PORTLAND, OR — The 2025 KFNW 50/50 Season Long Online Challenge brought together 78 anglers from across the Pacific Northwest for one of the most unique and demanding competitions in the series. From March 1 through October 31, anglers submitted their best catches from any public waters, aiming to record their top five largemouth and five smallmouth bass for a combined total. When the final fish was logged, competitors had submitted an incredible 1,305 fish — a testament to both the bite and the dedication of this season-long grind.
Consistency is everything in this format, and Corey Carlile (Spokane, WA) proved unstoppable. Over eight months, Carlile assembled a powerhouse limit of 216 inches, anchored by a pair of 21.5-inch smallmouth and a 22.25-inch largemouth. His precision and persistence across both species earned him the 2025 50/50 Challenge Championship and a $544.64 payday.
Hot on his heels was Geoff Linson (Shelton, WA), who posted an impressive 210.25 inches to take second place and $372.65, followed by Rick Thanstrom (Grangeville, ID) in third with 206.75 inches and $343.98. The top five was rounded out by Pat Moore (Anacortes, WA) and Michael Jarvis (Yamhill, OR), who each tallied 206.5 inches, separated only by tie-breaker rules — with Moore’s 22.25-inch largemouth giving him the edge.
The 50/50’s leaderboard stayed tight all year long, with multiple anglers trading positions as the seasons changed. Joshua Howard (Kingston, WA), Brandon Hua (Hillsboro, OR), Chris Glover (Poulsbo, WA), Jakob Jarvis (Yamhill, OR), and Ryan Flory (Coeur d’Alene, ID) all finished within just a few inches of each other — proof that every upgrade mattered from the first cast of spring to the final fall bite.
Podium Finishes
- Corey Carlile (Spokane, WA) – 216.00″ – $544.64
- Geoff Linson (Shelton, WA) – 210.25″ – $372.65
- Rick Thanstrom (Grangeville, ID) – 206.75″ – $343.98
- Pat Moore (Anacortes, WA) – 206.50″ – $315.32
- Michael Jarvis (Yamhill, OR) – 206.50″ – $286.65
- Joshua Howard (Kingston, WA) – 204.25″ – $257.99
- Brandon Hua (Hillsboro, OR) – 204.00″ – $229.32
- Chris Glover (Poulsbo, WA) – 202.50″ – $200.66
- Jakob Jarvis (Yamhill, OR) – 202.00″ – $171.99
- Ryan Flory (Coeur d’Alene, ID) – 201.50″ – $143.33
Big Bass Awards
- Big Bass: Largemouth – Chris Glover (Poulsbo, WA) – $567 (63 anglers)
- 23.5-inch largemouth – the longest largemouth ever caught in a KFNW-sanctioned event, tying the all-time KFNW length record (shared with Rick Thanstrom’s 23.5-inch smallmouth from 2023).
- Big Bass: Smallmouth – Corey Carlile (Spokane, WA) – $540 (60 anglers)
- 21.5-inch smallmouth – eight anglers landed 21.5-inch smallmouth this season, but per KFNW rules, ties are broken by time of catch. Carlile claimed the win with a fish landed on March 21 at 10:13:10 AM.
- The Gang of Eight who all caught a 21.5-inch smallmouth were Corey Carlile (twice), Geoff Linson, Rick Thanstrom, Michael Jarvis (twice), Joshua Howard, and Ryan Flory.
A Season to Remember
The 50/50 Challenge isn’t just about finding big fish — it’s about finding balance, adapting across seasons, and mastering both species that define Northwest bass fishing. From early-spring bronzebacks to late-fall largemouth, this year’s leaderboard was a showcase of skill and persistence.
What a way to close out the 2025 KFNW season — with records broken, personal bests shattered, and the region’s best anglers proving once again that the Pacific Northwest can hang with anyone, anywhere.
—Marvin Forte
KFNW Director
KFNW is presented by Diamond Parking, Diamond Self Storage, Native Watercraft, Snake River Manufacturing, and Next Adventure