I made a mistake
Shaye BakerI decided to fish the B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifiers this year for the long-shot opportunity to work my way to — and win — the 2025 Bassmaster Classic. B.A.S.S. revamped the...
Momentum and a Century Club belt
Stetson BlaylockIn one of my previous columns, I mentioned the importance of a fast start on the Bassmaster Elite Series to get my mind right for the rest of the season....
Underestimating Clunn
Bryan BrasherWhen Rick Clunn caught a 31-pound, 7-ounce limit of bass on Day 3 of the Bassmaster Elite on the St. Johns River in 2016 and then went on to win...
The ultimate destination
James Hall“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” The great American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson said that. Evidently, he hadn’t flown United Airlines. He certainly hadn’t weathered the 26-hour string of...
Tackle systems: Search baits
Bernie SchultzAs we enter spring, more and more bass are beginning to move shallow. When that happens, they tend to spread out — some to the backs of pockets, others to protected flats...
My take on the 2024 Classic
Scott MartinThe competitor in me definitely would have preferred to be fishing Grand Lake during the 2024 Bassmaster Classic. But as much of a disappointment as that was, the upside was...
Well, that’s not the start I wanted
Bill LowenTwo tournaments in to the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series season, and I hoped for a better start. I finished 67th at Toledo Bend Reservoir and 51st at Lake Fork, and...
Why I love lily pads
Michael IaconelliI’m not a scientist, but I know many different species of lily pads grow in lakes and rivers from Canada to Florida and from Maine to California. I’ve caught bass...
Riding the Elite Series roller coaster
Cooper GallantThe first two Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments of the year were an emotional roller coaster for me. Toledo Bend Reservoir My practice at the first event on Toledo Bend Reservoir...
Hacking springtime cold fronts
Kyle WelcherSpring is here, and you know what that means: cold fronts. Most bass anglers dread cold fronts. They always seem to line up perfectly with the biggest tournaments on your...