Clanton native Dustin Connell will be fishing out of a brand new boat, and with a little extra cash in his pocket, after winning the 2015 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open.

Connell, 24, with a total weight of 55.1 pounds, led the tournament field after all three days of weigh-ins and won by about 8 pounds.

His prizes included a new Triton boat, with a retail value of about $45,000, and $15,000 cash.

“It hasn’t even set in yet,” Connell said Monday after the event ended Saturday. “It was definitely the biggest tournament I’ve ever been in and won. It’s a really big tournament. A lot of pros fish it.”

The competition was held April 16-18 on the Alabama River, where Connell said he has much experience.

Connell said anglers had to deal with rain throughout the tournament.

“I think I had my rainsuit on all week,” he said. “The water started dirtying up. I had to change with the water to go catch them.”

Connell said he wasn’t able to relax until about 11 a.m. on the final day of the tournament. With three large bass already in the livewell, Connell pulled in a fourth and realized that he would likely win.

“I freaked out,” he said. “I had to lay down in my boat. I knew that I had probably just won right there.”

Connell thanked the friends and family who have supported him, including offering encouragement during a tough week of fishing.

He singled out his brother, James Connell, and his brother’s father-in-law, Robert Pairrett.

“I attribute a lot of success to them,” Connell said. “Those two taught me a lot about fishing, and it’s paying off.”

Connell said he plans to fish the whole series next year and try to qualify for the Elite Series, which is the pro division.