Frigid December Bassmaster Classic practice
Cooper GallantI’m working on this column in my truck, which is parked at a boat ramp in Knoxville, Tenn. It’s Monday morning, Dec. 15, and a crisp 20 degrees. I backed...
New Elite anglers are the real deal
Davy HiteCongratulations to the new Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers for 2026! The path to the Elites through the Elite Qualifiers Series was no easy task and brought out the best of the...
Dealing with rejection
Kyle WelcherOnce upon a time, I just fished. Fishing meant casting and/or pitching thousands of times a day. I would use dozens of lures on all types of cover. On any...
My boat swap process
Lee LivesayOne of the biggest offseason tasks I have to coordinate every year is my boat changeover. It’s a necessary part of being a professional angler, but it’s more involved than...
Why I’m starting a guiding service
Beau BrowningIt’s mid-December as I write this, and I’ve just spent a fantastic 60-degree day on Lake Ouachita, my home lake, with Jeremiah Kindy. Jeremiah won the Lake Ouachita Bassmaster Open...
My extra short offseason
Robert GeeYou hear professional anglers talk about their offseason, but this year, mine has been much shorter than normal. Last year, I had a longer offseason because I stopped fishing major...
Last day in the boat for 2025
Jeff GustafsonI don’t live in a convenient location to compete on the Bassmaster Elite Series. My hometown, Kenora, Ontario, is located a couple of hours north of the Minnesota border, nowhere...
Shimano’s Rod & Reel Tour
Bernie SchultzMany who follow the Bassmaster Elite Series believe our work is done once tournament season concludes, but that’s not the case. Not even close. For the anglers serious about making...
Fishing gifts for Christmas
Michael IaconelliI love family gatherings during the holiday season and getting in touch with the meaning of Christmas. When I was young, I also longed to receive gifts tied to fishing....
Fishing a warmer fall
Luke PalmerThis year, fall was a lot warmer than normal and that had an impact on fishing patterns. For example, I recently fished a local jackpot tournament and the water was...
