Wisconsin-based B.A.S.S Elite winner and tournament pro Pat Schlapper wasn’t always a professional bass fisherman. He spent two decades behind the fishing counter at Scheels—one of his primary sponsors—before setting his sights on the Elite circuit.

Schlapper explained: “It’s just something I always wanted to do, and I knew in my gut that I could compete at that level. I fished every chance I got when I wasn’t working, so I figured why not throw my hat into the ring.”

Now in his fifth season on the B.A.S.S. Elite tour, the 42-year-old angler double-qualified in 2020 by winning the T.N.T. B.A.S.S. National Championship and finishing third in the Bassmaster Eastern Opens Angler standings. Since then, he’s built a reputation for consistency on the big stage...

Two Triumphs in One Season

Schlapper electrified the Elite circuit with two standout victories in 2025. First, he took the top spot at the Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River in Texas—a surprise win that marked his first Elite crown of the year. And most recently, he sealed the deal with a crushing performance at the Bassmaster Elite at Upper Mississippi River in Wisconsin with a four-day total of 66 pounds 5 ounces, notching his second Elite title of the season.

“This one’s so sweet, it means a lot to me,” Schlapper said to B.A.S.S. about his Wisconsin win. “The Sabine was a kind of surprise to me, but this one I’m not surprised, because I fish down here so much and I have a ton of history. I’m so happy I won this (event). I love the Mississippi River and I hope we come back.”

Both B.A.S.S. Elite Series wins qualify him for the upcoming Bassmaster Classic—and underscore a season defined by true grit and hometown pride.

Why Schlapper Runs Norsk Lithium®

In his early pro years, Schlapper relied on lead-acid and AGM batteries—but he encountered persistent issues: inconsistent trolling motor voltage and degraded imaging quality on his electronics, like Garmin Livescope and Humminbird MEGA 360. He’d heard that lithium could solve these problems, but stayed skeptical—until he saw the difference first-hand.

Schlapper explained: “Guys were starting to say you need to go lithium to fix those problems, but until I got in a boat and saw the difference in the screen displays, I was skeptical. Then, a couple years ago I discovered Norsk Lithium and I’ve had zero problems since switching.”

He added: “As a pro angler, you can’t afford to have voltage issues with your trolling motor or electronics displays. Everything needs to work perfectly from take-off to weigh-in each day. Norsk Lithium has given me exactly that.”

Pat’s Power Setup Highlights

• Trolling Motor (Minn Kota QUEST Ultrex): Two heated Norsk Lithium 36V + 28V 60 Ah batteries
• Electronics: Two heated Norsk Lithium 16V 135 Ah batteries (in parallel), powering two Humminbird APEX 13s at the console, one APEX 13 and Garmin 1643 on the bow, plus Humminbird MEGA 360 and Garmin Livescope
• Outboard & Accessories: Group 31 AGM
• Charging: Onboard Norsk Lithium chargers—a two-bank for the 36V setup and a three-bank for the 16V electronics batteries and the AGM starter battery

The Norsk Lithium® Edge

• Constant Voltage: No power drop-off—his Ultrex maintains full performance until completely drained.
• Sharper Imaging: Clean Livescope and MEGA 360 visuals all day, thanks to consistent 16V input.
• Lightweight Efficiency: Four lithium batteries replace eight heavy AGMs—lighter, easier to handle, and more compact.
• Smart Monitoring: Guardian App + onboard meters let him track battery charge from the boat or even his truck camper.
• Support: He praises Norsk Lithium’s responsive customer service and technical know-how.

Between his viral win at the Sabine River and his home-state clutch at the Mississippi River, Schlapper has showcased elite-level consistency and adaptability. He attributes much of that success to his reliable power setup—thanks to Norsk Lithium.

With this pair of wins fueling his drive, Pat Schlapper is rolling into the Bassmaster Classic with full power—both in his boat and his ambition.