Willow Tree farmer and angler Mitchell Cone is preparing to take on the world’s best after being selected to represent Australia at the 2026 World Black Bass Championships in the United States.
The 39-year-old is one of six elite anglers selected for Team Australia, which will compete against teams from 19 other countries at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, from October 1 to 3.
For Cone, the trip will take him a long way from his everyday life farming near Willow Tree and working on the Liverpool Plains.
“I’m a 39 year old farmer who loves life on the land. My wife, two kids and I own a 500 acre farm with a few cows and other farm animals. There is always work to be done on the land. I also work on a cropping based farm on the Liverpool plains. Work hard play hard!” he said.
Cone’s path to international tournament fishing began with a competitive streak developed through years of playing local first-grade soccer.
“I’m a naturally competitive person, after playing local 1st grade soccer for many years I wanted to try something different.
“Fishing was always something I did with my mates on a weekend, that was until I found competitive fishing. The first few years of tournament fishing were very tough, and I learnt some valuable lessons. Like most things, I just wanted to get better. I believe you can learn every time you are on the water, and the obsession still burns deep.”
“Fast forward 10 years and I have been lucky enough to travel across the world doing what I love.”
From Willow Tree to the world stage
Cone will join an Australian team heading to Arkansas with strong recent form behind it.
Australia finished second at the World Black Bass Championships in Italy in 2024 before securing another podium finish with third place in South Africa in 2025.
Cone said standing on the podium in Italy remained his proudest achievement in fishing.
“Standing on stage with some of my best mates in Italy with team and individual silver medals around our necks. We gained a lot of respect from other countries after that event.”
Representing Australia carries particular significance for the Willow Tree angler.
“No matter what you do, getting to represent your country is the greatest honour you can have. I love giving back to the sport where ever I can and showing young people it is possible to do big things! Let’s hope one day we see fishing in the Olympic Games.”
‘Redemption tour’ in the US
Despite Australia’s recent podium performances, the 2026 championships will also offer an opportunity to settle some unfinished business.
The team previously competed in the US in 2022, recording a result Cone and his teammates are determined not to repeat.
“2026 is a redemption tour for a few of us, we got our butts handed to us in 2022, it was our worst finish as a team and we know we can do better!”
This year’s host nation will present a formidable challenge, but Cone said the Australians were ready to take it on.
“The USA team have a stacked side and are expected to run away with gold, we are looking to spoil that party. The team is primed and ready to compete against the world’s best.”
The World Black Bass Championships bring together leading freshwater tournament anglers from around the globe, with competitors fishing for national and individual honours.
The 2026 event will be held at Lake Hamilton, a 7460-acre (about 3020-hectare) man-made lake on the Ouachita River in Arkansas.
For Cone, it will mark another chapter in a competitive fishing career that has taken him from weekends on the water with mates to wearing the Australian colours on the world stage.
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