Remembering Rick Mason

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Rick Mason, Bassmaster cameraman since 2001, passed away on Oct. 24, 2016 of a severe heart attack. The news shocked many in the Bassmaster world, including Kevin VanDam, who had spent many competition days with Mason as videographer.
Rick Mason, Bassmaster cameraman since 2001, passed away on Oct. 24, 2016 of a severe heart attack. The news shocked many in the Bassmaster world, including Kevin VanDam, who had spent many competition days with Mason as videographer.
Mason was known for his work ethic and quickly impressed those he worked alongside with his never-stop working attitude.
Mason was known for his work ethic and quickly impressed those he worked alongside with his never-stop working attitude.
VanDam equated the loss to losing someone who has been like a brother through the last 15 years.
VanDam equated the loss to losing someone who has been like a brother through the last 15 years.
Mason was considered a quiet giant behind the scenes of Bassmaster competitions as a reliable workhorse with a camera in his hands.
Mason was considered a quiet giant behind the scenes of Bassmaster competitions as a reliable workhorse with a camera in his hands.
On the water with an angler in competition he was in constant motion trying every angle to get a shot of the action for those watching on Bassmaster LIVE or the Bassmaster Television show.
On the water with an angler in competition he was in constant motion trying every angle to get a shot of the action for those watching on Bassmaster LIVE or the Bassmaster Television show.
He was recognized by anglers and peers alike as someone who was emotionally involved in every day of competition, wanting to always be with the winner.
He was recognized by anglers and peers alike as someone who was emotionally involved in every day of competition, wanting to always be with the winner.
Mason was often seen with camera held high to get the best vantage point for the action unfolding in front of him.
Mason was often seen with camera held high to get the best vantage point for the action unfolding in front of him.
Regardless of where the camera sat, Mason was intent on capturing the right shot.
Regardless of where the camera sat, Mason was intent on capturing the right shot.
He was driven to succeed because he started with JM Associates as truck driver in 1999.
He was driven to succeed because he started with JM Associates as truck driver in 1999.
For the first two years, he lobbied Jerry McKinnis to put him in a boat and let him run a camera.
For the first two years, he lobbied Jerry McKinnis to put him in a boat and let him run a camera.
McKinnis relented during the 2001 Bassmaster Classic and Mason quickly impressed with how hard he worked to always get the shot.
McKinnis relented during the 2001 Bassmaster Classic and Mason quickly impressed with how hard he worked to always get the shot.
By 2016, he was often the choice to be placed with top contenders, including Jason Christie during the Classic on Grand Lake.
By 2016, he was often the choice to be placed with top contenders, including Jason Christie during the Classic on Grand Lake.
Mason would capture key moments on that final day that would tell the complete story of how that event progressed for Christie.
Mason would capture key moments on that final day that would tell the complete story of how that event progressed for Christie.
Mason’s storytelling through the eye of the lens has proven invaluable through the years.
Mason’s storytelling through the eye of the lens has proven invaluable through the years.
Mason’s ability with the camera came from every angle.
Mason’s ability with the camera came from every angle.
And from both ends of the boat.
And from both ends of the boat.
And regardless of who he was with, the camera hardly ever stopped rolling in an 8-hour day.
And regardless of who he was with, the camera hardly ever stopped rolling in an 8-hour day.
Staying ready was a hallmark for him. He took it personally if he missed anything during a day of competition.
Staying ready was a hallmark for him. He took it personally if he missed anything during a day of competition.
That sometimes meant he was focusing close to the water and down the side of the boat.
That sometimes meant he was focusing close to the water and down the side of the boat.
Or standing and rolling from the deck.
Or standing and rolling from the deck.
His main goal was to capture every important detail of the day.
His main goal was to capture every important detail of the day.
We would often see him running two cameras at the same time in his never-ending quest to get the best shot.
We would often see him running two cameras at the same time in his never-ending quest to get the best shot.
And it didn’t matter if it was a big camera or a GoPro, he was equally intent on working them both to their utmost.
And it didn’t matter if it was a big camera or a GoPro, he was equally intent on working them both to their utmost.
Mason was comfortable in the outdoors.
Mason was comfortable in the outdoors.
While running a camera and driving a truck filled with equipment paid the bills, he enjoyed the art of spelunking, or exploring caves, in his spare time.
While running a camera and driving a truck filled with equipment paid the bills, he enjoyed the art of spelunking, or exploring caves, in his spare time.
He didn’t have much spare time. In the past 17 years as a driver for JM Associates, he has logged according to mileage charts almost 1 million miles.
He didn’t have much spare time. In the past 17 years as a driver for JM Associates, he has logged according to mileage charts almost 1 million miles.
Along with lots of miles, he and his brother Brian Mason, were in charge of setting up all the gear and equipment on virtually every shoot for JM Associates. His smile was a constant feature no matter where he was.
Along with lots of miles, he and his brother Brian Mason, were in charge of setting up all the gear and equipment on virtually every shoot for JM Associates. His smile was a constant feature no matter where he was.
But so was his intensity in working to get a great shot. He would never settle for half, always pushing for the best.
But so was his intensity in working to get a great shot. He would never settle for half, always pushing for the best.
Even if it meant hanging off the side of a boat to get the whole picture.
Even if it meant hanging off the side of a boat to get the whole picture.
During the Angler of the Year Championship with Seth Fieder, this rainbow was shining on him as much as anyone.
During the Angler of the Year Championship with Seth Fieder, this rainbow was shining on him as much as anyone.
Mason was known for his toughness. It was hard to get him to take the easy way. Aaron Martens referred to him as his favorite cameraman and was brought to tears when the news came of Mason’s passing.
Mason was known for his toughness. It was hard to get him to take the easy way. Aaron Martens referred to him as his favorite cameraman and was brought to tears when the news came of Mason’s passing.
Martens loved Mason for his resolve, even if it meant taking a bone-jarring ride across the great lakes to get a shot in the rolling waves.
Martens loved Mason for his resolve, even if it meant taking a bone-jarring ride across the great lakes to get a shot in the rolling waves.
Or bear-hugging his camera as the boat moved through crashing waves.
Or bear-hugging his camera as the boat moved through crashing waves.
Regardless of where Mason was he would be working for the best shot and building a relationship with anglers fortunate enough to have him in the boat.
Regardless of where Mason was he would be working for the best shot and building a relationship with anglers fortunate enough to have him in the boat.