The Muswellbrook local used his home ground advantage and fought off tough competition to take home the winnings, which was the biggest haul of his career.

The Storm Bass Australia Competition was held at Lake Glenbawn over the weekend of October 20 and 21 – and $25,000 worth of prizemoney was handed out.

Phelps is no stranger to winning tournaments, but said nothing he’s done in the past compares to this victory.

“It felt really good,” he admitted.

“It’s the largest amount of money I’ve ever won and it was nice to come out on top and to win on my home lake as well, it was absolutely incredible.”

Despite the difficulty of the challenge, he believed in his abilities and backed in his vast experience on Lake Glenbawn to carry him though.

“I’ve grown up here in the Hunter Valley,” Phelps said.

“And, being my home lake, I fish it all the time.

“I’m always confident of catching fish there and I was very confident heading into the tournament.”

However, he won’t have the luxury of that advantage next year when he engages in the World Bass Championships, which will take place at Vaal River in South Africa.

He’s one of just six Australians who have been selected to represent the country, in the international competition that hosts dozens of nations.

But, Phelps won’t be overly fazed, given his experience in the sport is only matched by his passion for it.

“I’ve been fishing for as long as I can remember,” he said.

“My parents always took me away on trips, but I wasn’t getting enough out of just socially fishing so the tournament scene drew me in.”

He encouraged anyone curious about fishing to get involved, saying it opens up many pathways, including going professional as well as making lifelong friends.