PARIS, Tenn. — BASSfest may have been a five-day event, but really, we could have shut it down after two days. Edwin Evers took the lead on the second day on Kentucky Lake, and he didn’t let it go until he had the trophy in his hand.
Evers won the Zippo BASSfest presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps by 3 pounds, despite charges by Kevin VanDam and Brandon Lester for the top spot. Now, he has his fifth Elite Series title, and he’s one of only a handful who can boast that many Elite wins.
Evers has had a big year, not just with his win, but also with operating his new pecan business and introducing his program of taking members of the military fishing.
Today, he talked to fans live about all of his new ventures during the B.A.S.S. Twitter chat. Below is the full transcript. You can view transcripts of previous chats with pros here.
Keep up with bass fishing news by following @BASS_Nation on Twitter, and keep up with Evers by following him at @EdwinEvers2.
Welcome, @edwinevers2 to the B.A.S.S. Twitter chat! Congratulations on your win!
Thanks! I’m happy to be here! I’m looking forward to your questions!
Hey there @edwinevers2 how does it feel to be snappin’ necks and cashin’ BASSFest checks?! And to be #BassmasterClassic qualified?
Nice rhymin’! It was awesome! It’s a great one to win, with it being BASSfest and catching big ones like I did. Huge stress relief! I’ve refused to talk about the Classic until I was qualified, now I can talk about it all I want!
Thanks! And congrats to you! You’re quite the family man, how pumped are they?
They’re just as excited as I am, if not more! It was really neat for everyone to be there with me, too.
What was it between you and KY that clicked so well? #iLoveKYlake
I love using my @LowranceFishing depthfinder. I have a lot of confidence in my electronics. Even during practice, it doesn’t bother me to not pick up a rod. I can just spend time using my electronics
If you could have 3 baits to fish Pickwick with in July, what would you take?
I’d have a Headturner Stand Up with a Zoom Magnum Trick Worm in green pumpkin, Deep 6 Megabass crankbait and a Megabass Spark Shad.
Fishing with Dom! @fishingwithDom
How important is proper line selection when Bass Fishing? And line maintenance?
Line selection is huge because of the resistance in the water. Line maintenance is important but not as much as size and diameter.
What is your favorite pattern for Grand Lake?
I love flipping/pitching to willow trees when the waters up. That’s a lot of fun!
Mine as well. But I also like square bills. Congrats on your Bassfest Win. Hope you have a great day. What is your favorite pattern for Grand Lake. Just fun fishing.
When they’re biting the topwater, there’s nothing better. On a cloudy day, it’s one of the best lakes for that.
What was the most exciting part of competing at BASSfest.
Having my family there was really cool. My son was in the boat with me helping bag fish. We had a great time together.
How do you like the Bassmaster LIVE in the boat with you?
I think it brings us so much closer to the fans. I was addicted the first two tournaments when I didn’t make the cut!
How would I go about getting me some of those delicious Pecans
It’s at http://www.edwineverspecans.com!
I no longer fish so seeing you @christiefishing, Terry Butcher and other fellow anglers doing well makes me happy.
Thank you!
Have you started your #bassmasterclassic strategy?
Every day I think about it. I wish I had a crystal ball to be able to see what the weather will be like in March.
So @edwinevers2, u won the only “win & you’re in” event on the elite schedule. Do u miss that format or do u like the new way?
I think it’s a little better the new way. In the long run, we want to reward consistency, and that’s how it should be.
As an active duty Navy man I love your wounded warrior charity fishing cause. How did u get into that? What’s the best part?
Thank you for your service! We’re all indebted to you. It started as a brainstorm with a friend on a way to give back. I’m grateful to be in a position where people want to go fishing w/ me, & it’s a great opportunity to share a great cause. I think sometimes I get more out of it than they do sometimes. I really enjoy it!
I love my job and my service, ur welcome! I got a chance to meet you and your partner at G this year. Great program!
Cool!
What made you get into the pecan business?
There’s nothing more beautiful than a pecan orchard. It’s neat growing a tree from little bitty to great big. I’d been thinking about it for 8 years. It’s a good retirement plan, and it’s something to pass down to my family.
Deanna Shampine @riverchick13694
Strategy for St Lawrence now that Lake Ontario is OB? Will you pre-fish?
No. It’s too far to drive. If I can’t find them in 3 days, I’m probably not going to find them. I like that it narrows down the water and makes the search easier.
Deanna Shampine @riverchick13694
Def not a day trip! I helped TJ find you lodging last time. You all set for this year? Lol
I think we are! We’ve got an apartment rented above someone’s house in town! But if you’ve got anything else, let me and TJ know!
Are you excited for these large bodied, northern waters coming up over the next few events? #SmallieSmashFest
Heck yeah! They’re great fisheries. You can spread out – without a doubt I’m excited.
Hopefully you can bring home another piece of blue hardware this season on one of them!
Have you found a permanent place for your new elite series trophy?
I do! I’ve got it on a shelf in our sunroom!
What is your go-to bait for topwater?
I love throwing that @MegabassUSA XPod in Ayu color!
THANK YOU and congratulations on winning Bassfest 2015 !
M and M Fishing @mandmfishing
What your biggest bass you caught?
I would love to have weighed the one I caught at the Delta in practice, but the biggest one I’ve caught was 10-9.
Edwin, I’m sight fishing for a stubborn smallmouth on bed right now. Any advice?
You turkey, that’s not fair!
Never mind…
Looks like you don’t need my help after all!
How does it feel to be qualified for the #BassmastersClassic?
Couldn’t be more excited with it being right here on Grand Lake! The pressure’s off for the rest of the season.
Thank you for joining us today @edwinevers2 and we wish you the best the rest of the season!
Thanks everybody for the questions! Hopefully we can do it again soon!