You’ve probably seen the name everywhere lately if you follow professional fishing. People are calling him the "whiz kid" or the "prodigy," but the question everyone keeps typing into Google is simple: how old is Trey McKinney?
It’s a fair question. When you see a guy holding up a massive trophy and a six-figure check while looking like he should be at a high school prom, you start wondering. Honestly, the timeline of his career is a bit mind-bending.
The Quick Answer
As of right now, in early 2026, Trey McKinney is 20 years old.
He was born on February 25, 2005. If you’re doing the math at home, that means he’ll be hitting the big 2-1 next month. It’s wild to think about what he’s already accomplished before he can even legally buy a beer to celebrate a win.
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With Trey McKinney's Age
The reason his age is such a hot topic isn't just curiosity. It’s because he keeps breaking records that have stood for decades. Most pro anglers spend years—sometimes decades—grinding in the lower circuits before they even get a whiff of the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Trey didn't wait.
He basically kicked the door down. He became the youngest angler ever to qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series at just 18 years old. Think about that. While most 18-year-olds are trying to figure out their college major or how to change a tire, Trey was out-fishing grown men who have been on the water longer than he’s been alive.
A History of Being the "Youngest"
Trey, who hails from Carbondale, Illinois, has been the "young kid" in every room since he started.
- Age 13: He won the Junior Bassmaster Championship and the TBF FLW Junior World Championship.
- Age 16: He jumped into the BFLs (Bass Fishing League) and won Angler of the Year on the boater side. He’s the youngest ever to do that, too.
- Age 18: Qualified for the Elites.
- Age 19: Won his first Elite Series event at Lake Fork.
That Lake Fork win in 2024 was the moment the world really took notice. He didn’t just win; he destroyed the competition. He weighed in over 130 pounds of bass over four days. To put that in perspective, that’s one of the heaviest totals in the history of the sport. And he did it while he was barely old enough to vote.
The Secret Behind the Success
You might wonder how a 20-year-old gets this good, this fast. It wasn't just luck.
Trey grew up in a family of athletes, though not necessarily fishermen. His parents, Rick and Kim McKinney, were elite barrel racers. His sister, Elaina, is a third-generation star in the rodeo world. While the rest of the family was focused on horses at their family business, McKinney’s Western Store, Trey took a different path.
He credits a lot of his early development to his mentor, Rick Cheatham. Rick took him under his wing when Trey was just a kid and taught him the nuances of Lake of Egypt and other Illinois waters.
Another huge factor? Homeschooling. Let's be real—you can't travel the country fishing national qualifiers if you're stuck in a chemistry lab every Tuesday. His parents let him focus on fishing as long as he kept up with his studies. That flexibility allowed him to treat fishing like a full-time job before he even had a driver's license.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Now that we've settled the "how old is Trey McKinney" debate, the real question is: what's next?
In 2025, he continued his tear, winning at Lake St. Clair and staying at the top of the Angler of the Year (AOY) standings. Entering the 2026 season, he’s no longer the "rookie" everyone is watching; he’s the guy with a target on his back.
He’s currently ranked among the top anglers in the world. Not "top young anglers"—top anglers, period.
Why It Matters for the Fans
For those of us watching from the shore (or our couches), Trey represents a shift in the sport. He’s part of a generation that grew up with forward-facing sonar, high-tech electronics, and a "sponge" mentality. He doesn't have the "old school" biases that sometimes hold veteran anglers back. He just goes where the fish are.
Actionable Takeaways for Aspiring Anglers
If you're looking at Trey and wondering how to replicate even a fraction of that success, here is what he actually does:
- Be a Sponge: Trey often says he tries to learn one new thing every single day on the water. Don't get stuck in your ways.
- Master Your Electronics: Whether people like it or not, the "LiveScope" era is here. Trey is a master of using technology to find fish that others miss.
- Confidence is Key: He took a chance on the BFLs at 16 even though he wasn't sure he could compete. You have to jump eventually.
Trey McKinney isn't just a kid who got lucky. He’s a 20-year-old veteran with a decade of tournament experience who happens to be one of the best to ever pick up a rod. Expect to see his name at the top of the leaderboards for the next 30 years.
Next Steps for Fishing Fans:
To keep up with Trey’s performance this season, you should bookmark the Bassmaster Elite Series schedule and keep an eye on the live weigh-ins. If you're looking to upgrade your own gear to match the pros, researching forward-facing sonar setups is the best way to understand the technical edge Trey uses to dominate the field.