The Top College Angler of 2025 Just Donated Every Cent of His Cash Winnings to This Good Cause

In an inspiring act of kindness and generosity, match angler Tripp Berlinsky turned the most important win of his school fishing profession into a possibility to present again. Taking the stage in Tennessee on Monday after successful the Bassmaster College Bracket, probably the most prestigious title within the 2025 School Sequence, Berlinsky donated 100 percent of his cash winnings to the victims of Hurricane Helene. He handed over his $7,500 verify to Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby, who was unable to carry again tears.

“I simply needed to present this [money] again to everyone that was affected by Helene final 12 months,” a choked-up Berlinsky informed the group. “I couldn’t think about how onerous it might be, so I simply needed this cash to return into the group and simply assist everyone there.”

It was each a becoming venue and an ideal time for the gesture, which fell on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene. The three-day, bracket-style match was held on Watauga Lake in East Tennessee, a area that was ravaged by Helene’s floodwaters together with western North Carolina and different components of Appalachia. The lake nonetheless bears a few of these scars, with snapped bushes a typical sight alongside a lot of the shoreline. Berlinsky, a Florida native who’s seen his share of hurricanes, stated he acknowledged each the injury and the pure fantastic thing about this a part of the nation.

“It actually is among the most stunning locations I’ve ever been in my life,” he stated.

Watauga additionally produced extremely nicely for the College of North Alabama angler. Berlinsky led all three days of the competitors, incomes himself a spot within the finals Monday the place he confronted off towards his fishing accomplice and finest pal, Bryce Dimauro. He sealed the victory with a 17-pound 11-ounce bag, cementing his place because the No. 1 school angler of 2025 — all with a boatload of sophistication.

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“Pay attention, Mother and Dad,” B.A.S.S. match supervisor and emcee Glenn Cale stated from the stage. “You guys are doin’ it proper.” 

Along with the money prize he gave away, Berlinsky’s prime end within the School Bracket earned him a berth for the 2026 Bassmaster Traditional in addition to paid entries into the 2026 Bassmaster Opens, the place he’ll have the ability to check his mettle towards the highest bass execs within the nation. He’ll even have use of a fully-rigged Toyota Tundra and a Nitro boat for the upcoming season. And when Berlinsky comes again to fish Watauga Lake, he’ll be welcomed with open arms.